02.17

Once More on Grace and Good Works "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)"

In examining grace and good works, we are again seeing that God's grace is not only His
willingness to forgive us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but it is also His
resource for shaping and using our lives as believers.

God desires that we become amply engaged in good works, to glorify His name in the
edifying of His people and the reaching of the lost. Although we are not saved by good
works ("not of works, lest anyone should boast"—Ephesians 2:9), we are saved unto good
works ("created in Christ Jesus for good works").

Our hope of abounding in good works rests upon the gracious working of God on our behalf.
First, He remakes us through new birth in His Son: "created in Christ Jesus." Then, He
continues to work on us. We do not shape ourselves into an instrument that the Lord can
use. God willingly takes that responsibility upon Himself. "For we are His workmanship."
God wants to shape our lives like a work of art, thoroughly crafting us in relationship to
His purposes for each of our lives.

God's gracious work extends beyond new birth and subsequent fashioning. He even prepares
the good works in which He wants us eventually to be engaged: "Created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand." Think of it. The Lord has already arranged the
acts of service in which He intends for us to be occupied! Then, why are we not always
involved in such good works? The answer is related to this phrase: "that we should walk in
them." We do have a strategic responsibility in this process. We are to humbly and
dependently walk with the Lord Jesus every day.

Jesus addressed this matter. "Then they said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work
the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you
believe in Him whom He sent'" (John 6:28-29). Exercising faith in the Lord is what brings
us into the workings of God for our lives. This involves believing in His plan, as
revealed in His word. This includes trusting that His will is best for us. This comprises
walking in reliance upon Him, allowing Him to guide us each day into the appropriate good
works. Such a response brings service empowered by grace, as seen in the early church.
"And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And
great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).

"Creator of heaven and earth, I thank You for creating me anew in Christ Jesus. I praise
You for Your ongoing work in me. Please shape me into an instrument You can use. Lord,
forgive me when I am irresponsible through self-will or self-sufficiency. Lord, I want to
humbly and dependently follow You each day, in the light of Your word, Amen."