Saturday, March 28, 2009
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
GOD'S AMAZING GRACE: THE WELLSPRING OF GOOD WORKS
How amazing is God's grace? Not only did it raise us up with Christ from our spiritual graves, bringing us into a loving relationship with Him for time and eternity, it also blesses us with the ability to glorify Him in our daily lives. Each time a believer does something good as a fruit of his faith in the Savior, it's proof of God's grace working mightily in his heart. We are His workmanship (His work projects). Christ gave Himself for us for this purpose: to redeem us from all wickedness and purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
Here let us not think only of the "spectacular" works that Christian people may do for their Lord (as, for example, Paul did when he embarked on three extensive mission tours and a voyage to Rome). Let us also think of the common, ordinary works (routine chores) believers may do for their Savior. A son taking out the trash for dad. A daughter helping mom with the dishes. A husband or wife exhibiting a kind and loving spirit in the marriage relationship. A parishioner volunteering to vacuum a dirty carpet at church. Whatever the work may be, large or small, which the Christian performs out of love for Jesus, it is powerful testimony to the working of the God of all grace in the heart! He even provides the opportunities for doing good works according to the station in life He has chosen for us. Before you knew Him, He had in mind to bless you with specific avenues by which you might show Him your love and your gratitude for His tender mercies in ransoming you to be His child. Isn't it amazing?
Then let us say and sing with hearts full of love for our gracious God:
Oh, that I had a thousand voices
To praise my God with thousand tongues!
My heart, which in the Lord rejoices,
Would then proclaim in grateful songs
To all, wherever I might be,
What great things God has done for me.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 243:1)
