Amazing GraceSample

Plod with God

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, ESV). 

In verse two, the apostle refers to us walking in trespasses and sins. Here he sees us walking in good works. 

In verse nine, he points out that salvation is not of works but here he tells us that we are to do good works.

‘Good works’ is a common phrase. Perhaps ‘good deeds’ might be preferred. Or even better, ‘benevolent actions’. However we put it, the meaning is not hard to grasp. Benevolence is never for ourselves; it is necessarily for others. We are God’s workmanship, not so that we can preen ourselves with borrowed beauty, but so that we can serve God well. 

Good works are never enough to counteract sin or earn merit with God. That is not their purpose. There are two better reasons. First, to reflect the image of God so that people see what we do and glorify God. In Christ, we are like lights in a dark world (Matt 5:15-16) or perfume in a garbage dump (2 Cor 2:15-16). 

Second, they are for the benefit of others. We act in such a way that other people’s needs are met, whoever they are, whether believers or unbelievers, male or female, managers or labourers, regardless of language, colour, sexual practices or political views (Luke 10:25-37; Gal 6:9-10; 2 Thess 3:13). Like Jesus at the Samaritan well, we are not stopped by social barriers. 

And we are to walk in good works. To walk means to make progress, to get somewhere. So walking in good works means advancing and improving our way of life. It is not dramatic, just consistent. I used to tell my students to ‘plod with God’. 

It is too easy for us to become so focused on our own issues that we ignore those of others. To go to church for personal blessings; to hear sermons that tell us how to be happier and healthier; to become more cheerful, or more popular; to ignore or avoid people in need. 

God even prepares benevolent works for us to do, just as a mother arranges tasks suitable for her children. She doesn’t begin by asking toddlers to fix her computer. At first, it’s just to pick up the toys and tidy the room. Later, they will wash the dishes or use sharp knives or repair things. So God prepares the right tasks in advance for us to do. If he prepares them, we can do them! 

For in Christ we can do anything and everything God calls us to do. Not to earn grace but to express it. Amazing. 

What next?

1. Try memorising Ephesians 2:10 and making it a life-formula.

2. What are three ways today in which you could implement Galatians 6:10?