New Life In Christ Pt. 14 Saved to Walk in Good Works!

Sublime beauty of our Salvation.

Ephesians 2:4-7  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

The book of Ephesians is packed full with rich, spiritual truth. In this text Paul introduces some of the beautiful elements that are part of our salvation. 

First the apostle reminds us of the deep love and abundant mercy of God. He loved us even when we were vile sinners living in rebellion against Him. He loved us first even though we all committed many sins and trespasses against His holiness. 

The word "rich" means abounding in Christain virtues and fully supplied with eternal possessions. The word "mercy" is God's kindness and goodwill for miserable , afflicted sinners like us, coupled with a will to help them. The mercy of God removes our guilt and punishment for our sins and grants to us eternal life with God in Christ. God's "love" is the infinite, inexhaustible, unconditional "agape" love that we talked about as the fruit of the Spirit. 

What did the great love and abundant mercy of God cause Him to do? He sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world to save us from our sins that we might be born again and enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, He quickens each person who turns to Christ in repentant faith. The word "quicken" means to be raised from the dead because we were dead in our sins before God. 

How is a dead heart quickened? By the mighty grace of God that brings salvation to repentant sinners. God the Father raises up our soul into new life in Christ. The phrase "raised us up together" means raised up from a death sentence to a new and blessed life dedicated to God. The Father makes us sit together in Christ in heavenly places. This is the sure promise from the Father of the home in heaven that will be ready for us when He calls us home. It is the sure promise from the Father that we will be welcomed home and given wonderful responsibilities in the kingdom of God. 

What is God going to do when we are home in heaven with Him? He tells us in this text. He is going to show us the exceeding riches of His grace and kindness for each one of us throughout all eternity. The foundation for receiving all of these rich blessings is our faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

Salvation leads to Transformation

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. These are two of the five great principles of the Reformation. Grace describes the act of God offering us something we do not deserve, showering umerited favor upon us.  

After the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, the Father's heart toward all mankind is one of grace. He wants all people to be born again and has patiently allowed the gospel  of Christ to be preached for almost two thousand years. He will respond to our faith with great grace. 

He will save us by grace. God did this so that no man can boast of doing anything to "earn" his or her salvation. It is all of God and all of grace. 

Saved to Walk in Good Works.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

God never saved anyone without having a purpose for each one. Salvation is a mighty work of God that makes us a new creature in Christ. We are His workmanship in the sense that He began a good work in us when He saved us, and He will continue that work in us until we are home with God (Philippians 1:6). He is our Creator and He is making us a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are born again and all things become new while old things pass away. We begin a new life in Christ. 

What is our new life in Christ all about? Walking in good works. The word "walk" refers to the choices that we make being decisions that honor God and submit to His authority. It refers to a consistent life pattern that shows steady progress toward Christ likeness. It means entering the straight gate and walking upon the narrow way that Jesus described (Matthew 7:13-14). 

The word "good" means things that are useful, joyful, happy, morally pure, upright, excellent and honorable in the sight of God. The word "works" refers to doing something that needs to be done. It can refer to conducting a business or how we employ our time, and resources.

Mostly, this is the idea that there is work that needs to be done for God and He is giving us the high honor of doing work for His kingdom! God has a place for each of us. He has a purpose for each of us to fill and He has work for each of us to do ( 1 Corinthians 12).

In business, there is a branch of magement study called "ergonomics" which is learning how to be a productive, efficient and safe worker. This is why we are urged not to become weary in well doing ecause we are working for the One, True God of heaven. Christ Jesus is our Master and He purchased us with His own blood. From the very moment that we were born again, our new life in Christ is meant to focus on doing whatever it is that God wants us to do. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We see the immense beauty of God's love and mercy that motivated His desire to save us. More importantly, we see that God has a purpose, plan and work for each born again child of God. He will use human instruments to accomplish  His will.

The question is, Are we submitting to His Will? Are We actively serving Him? Are we involved in doing “good works" that glorify our Savior? Are we seeking to be efficient, effective workers for our Lord?

I pray that we are pliable clay in our Father's hand, that we can be instruments He will us to reach othersk for Christ.

Bob