‘For Good Works’

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Very often, having heard the proclamation of the Gospel of Free Grace, inquirers will return with the question, ‘what are we to make of works?’  ‘Where do good works come into play, if God accepts us by grace?’  Our text for today points toward the explanation which answers those questions.  Works follow as the consequence and evidence of grace.  They are not the cause of it, nor are they the currency whereby we buy our way into the favor of God.  Christ was ‘full of grace and truth’ and abounded in good works.  He had no favor to gain with God, His Father, Who was ‘well pleased’ with Him and said so on more than one occasion.  Our imitation of Christ is such that it is like His, reflective of already having the acceptance of God, not in the hope of it.  If we abound in good works, it is to the purpose that we reflect the Person of Christ, and fulfill the role God has for us.  God has created us ‘in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.’  By the good works that we do, we show Christ to the people around us.  The purpose is to point people to Christ by word and deed.  The best sermons are lived, not preached.  These good works are the Body of Christ carrying out the work of the Living Head.  We are His hands and feet.

Our Wise and Gracious God, we rejoice that You have prepared us to perform all the works that You intend,
whereby we may glorify You.
We praise You, that You will grant us the wisdom and the ability,
to do those things, which will bring You glory.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning