Renewed By Grace

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"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." —Ephesians 2:10

Bible Reading

EPHESIANS 2:4-10

Devotional

Saving people from death and hell is not God's ultimate plan. It's too negative. The good works of new lives was God's objective in giving us Jesus.

Urban renewal begins with the tearing down of slum dwellings. But the purpose of the job is the erection of new houses. Fields are not merely plowed to kill the weeds. The harvest of a new crop is the goal of the farmer.

So when we speak of God's saving grace, it is not enough to talk of the misery that was removed. We need to say something about the newness that has come. God did not do all his saving work merely to snatch us from the fire. God wants to change us so that we will bear the image of Christ.

You must not only know that you are saved and how you are saved but also for what purpose you were saved.

God's love removes all the debris of the old and dying city. That happened at Golgotha. But the power of God's grace is really seen in his creation of a new humanity in Christ. The resurrection was the beginning of all that is new and good.

Grace saves and transforms selfish human beings into new people who produce good works. And that's the aim of God's grace. It takes a lot of hard work on the farmer's part to remove the weeds. He does not work so hard because he hates the weeds but because he loves the crop.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God is the workman, and we are his products, his "handiwork" or "workmanship," as some Bible versions say. And when this architect-workman started his gracious work, he had a design in mind that he "prepared in advance." God's objective was the good works of a new people.

REFLECTION

How is God's renewal project going in your life? What signs do you see of the newness God is looking for?

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Again - Sorry for not posting this last night. No excuses, I just fail.

"Faith without works is dead." You can read all about works and their role in a Christians life in James 2. Check it out to dive deeper in the word. Many people have read this and have gotten the impression that when someone says you have to have works, that salvation is works based. That is SO far from the truth. What it means is - works is the natural progression in ones sanctification! Once God draws you to Himself and saves you, the process of regeneration is done. But what happens next is the lifelong process of sanctification and when you continue in your walk with the Lord, as He changes you, you start to work out your own salvation.

You will want to grow more and read the Bible. You will want to devote your life to His service and do as He has called you. Your desire will be to bless those around you, whether they bless or curse you. God will start pulling on your heart and trimming things out of your life that need not be there. When you sin, you will grieve because you know you have grieved the Spirit. Its all a part of His guidance and your obedience.

God's saving grace did more than save us from ourselves and from the pit of Hell. He changed us indefinitely. We are no longer the person we were before God called us to Himself and gave us saving faith. He gave us the hope of eternity with Him and the joy to live our lives for Him and bring Glory to His name! That is our purpose. To give and bring glory to God's name, whether by our own word of mouth or through our actions and lifestyle. "Grace saves and transforms selfish human beings into new people who produce good works. And that's the aim of God's grace."

The renewing project of God - in my life - is improving as of late. I'm becoming more diligent in my studies of the word and desiring to understand theology more and understand the sacraments. Lately, I'm finding that I'm praying more too. Praying is something I love to do, but theres SO much to pray for, I think part of the reason I slack in that area is because I allow myself to get overwhelmed. Its actually kind of silly of me to feel overwhelmed when praying because I'm praying to the God who saved the elect, who died and rose again, conquering death. I'm praying to the God who has asked me to speak with Him. Thats my flesh that creeps up and keeps me from praying. But thankfully, I'm finding myself praying at random times of the day. Something will spark in my mind and I will immediately start praying about it. Its actually quite awesome.

These changes in my heart and in my life are evidence that God is and has given me newness of life. This life that I live is not my own - it is God's. How about you? Where do you see God's newness of life? Grace&Peace.