As God’s Workmanship: We Are Created For 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

Write that verse down and put it in a prominent place! It’s a powerful reminder that we’re not here by accident or coincidence. Rather, we were created with a purpose in mind. We are God’s handiwork, His masterpiece. God created us with intention and care, in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of doing good works.

We Exist For A Purpose

We are not simply meant to exist. Our purpose is to serve others and glorify God. Here’s the amazing part, the good works God has for us to do today have ALREADY been prepared. God, in His sovereignty, has prepared good works in advance for us to do. He knew exactly where you would go and who you would take to today. Think about it: God had prior knowledge of how you can serve others and bring glory to Him today. Moreover, He has already equipped you for the righteous actions He intends for you to take.

When Ephesians 2:10 speaks of “good works,” it’s referring to actions that are in accordance with God’s Word and His will for our lives. These works aren’t just any good deeds we may choose to do, but rather they are specific actions that God has sovereignly prepared for us to undertake. As believers, we are called to live in a way that pleases God and reflects His character to the world around us. This means that we need to constantly seek to align our actions with His Word, allowing it to guide us in all that we do. Ultimately, our goal is to bring glory to God through the good works we undertake, as we strive to love Him and love others in the way that He has called us to.

This verse also reminds us that our good works are not a result of our own efforts or abilities, but rather they are a result of God’s grace and power working in and through us. We are not called to live our lives in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God Has Ordained Our Good Works

It’s not up to us to decide what actions we should take to please God, but rather God has ordained them for us. We are called to obey His commands and live according to His Word. This means that we cannot boast in our good works, as they are not of our own making. Just as we have nothing to boast about in our salvation, so too do we have nothing to boast of in our good works. They are the product of God’s grace and sovereignty. Our responsibility is to simply trust in God and follow His lead, knowing that it is He who works in us both to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

Understanding this principle and being reminded of it daily will transform how we live. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget our purpose. But when we remember that we are God’s handiwork and that he has prepared good works for us to do, it can change our perspective and motivate us to live our lives with purpose and intentionality. It also reminds us to trust in God’s grace and power to work in and through us.