Crafted for Good Works

Ephesians 2:10

New International Version

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

For Encouragement

After salvation, then what? Does the redeemed walk away into their own creative and selfish ways, assuming they please the Lord? Is that God’s intention for their salvation?

Before salvation, we walked in sin and did bad and offensive works, the fruits of our lives, against the holiness of God. After salvation, the Holy Spirit sanctifies and enables us to do works that please God, the fruit of our lives that brings honor to Him.

But works cannot save anyone. Salvation produces good works—the Holy Spirit-empowered fruits—evidencing salvation (Jn. 15:8; Phil. 2:12-13; Titus 2:14).

God had prepared His good works from eternity and reserved them for His redeemed in their time, after the great rescue from the dominion of darkness (Col. 1:13-14).

The believer is the workmanship of God, especially crafted for eternal dwelling with Him. After working on you in Christ on the cross and having raised you with Him from the dead onto new life in Christ, God is now working in and through you by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to perfect and bring you to the likeness of Christ. The result of our salvation is Christlikeness (Eph. 4:11-13). This process of sanctification is a lifelong endeavor by the Spirit of God in the believer. We become clean vessels of honor (2 Tim 2:20-22), fit to do the good works God has predestinated us to do (Eph. 2:10).

Brace yourself, therefore, child of God. You are a special vessel, crafted by God’s hands from start to finish; He hasn’t finished with you. God is working in you by His Spirit to accomplish His purpose for your life that fits into the eternal plan for His world—the building of His kingdom. He uses His word, prayer, and suffering to perfect us for His kingdom, and the more we open our our hearts to His program, the better it works to bring us peace as we look forward to His coming.

Shalom

Pray with Me

Eternal God, I rejoice to know I am a product of your artistry, for in your hands, you craft and fit only the best for your kingdom agenda. Help me be steadfast and remain in your hands with patience, so I might see your glory and worship you forever. Amen!     

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