Daily Devotional

-August 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Saved By Grace, Created For Good Works-

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

(Ephesians 2:9-10).

There is no way verses nine and ten can be separated from one another. We are saved by God’s matchless grace, completely apart from our works. Once we are saved, however, good works follow as a result. Some may ask how our works really work? If our works cannot save us, what role do they have in our lives? Works are the result of the Holy Spirit in dwelling us and empowering us to do good to others in Jesus’ name.

From verse ten we see that God created us in Christ Jesus for good works. Good works demonstrate how God changes our lives from being self oriented to be being Christ and others oriented. Doing good to others flows from our relationship with Christ.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is our part to shine the light of Christ in this dark, sinful world. It has such a powerful impact on the unsaved as well as on the saved. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:10, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” When the opportunity is present, good works should be prevalent.

Christians need to be prepared to do good works to help others. Paul instructed Titus to encourage the saints in Crete, to do good. They were to be, “ready for good works, to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs.” The people of Crete had a very bad reputation for “always being liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.” They needed Titus to teach them, train them, and prod them. We need the same teaching, training, and prodding today.

May the Lord help us to fulfill our destiny in doing good for others. It will not always be easy since those we do good to don’t always appreciate it. Even if others don’t thank us, Jesus will be glorified and others will be impacted. Doing good is easy to understand, but much harder to do!

Have a blessed day going good for others in Jesus’ name. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean