Saved By Grace (3) – Created For Good Works [Bible Teaching]

When Paul talks about good works in Ephesians 2:10, he is not in any way saying our good works save us. No, not any! He means that we are saved to serve God and others. From Ephesians 4, Paul is so clear about what good works are about. He instructed us to walk worthy of our calling.

We are not saved by our good works but we are saved unto good works. This is so clear from our previous two posts that man was dead in sin and couldn’t save himself. But God who is rich in mercy, reached out to man in his depravity to save him.

Ephesians 2:10 says,

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

We have established that God has made us alive together with Christ unto good works but the question here is: what good works? As is the custom of Paul, he writes by first dealing with the doctrine and then drawing out the implications for faithful living. 

What Good Work Must We Do?

Ephesians 4-6 deal with practical outworking of salvation by grace alone:

#1. We must walk in unity (4:1-6). Jesus told His disciples in John 13 that if they love one another, people will see they are His disciples.

#2. Use your spiritual gift to equip the saints of Christ (4:7-16). God gives us gifts not for showmanship but to serve and help build the body of Christ.

#3. Put on the new man and walk in true righteousness and holiness (4:17-24). 

#4. Speak truth with others (4:25-32). 

#5. Walk in love (5:1-7)

#6. Walk in light (5:8-14)

#7. Walk in wisdom (5:15-21)

#8. Portray gospel at home (5:22-6:9)

#9. Stay strong in the Lord (6:10-20)

Beloved in Christ, these, among others, are the good works we must cultivate and show forth as children of God. These works in themselves cannot save us unless we turn from our dead works and are made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:1).

We have been called from darkness to light to show His power and wisdom in daily living unto a dying world.

If you are not in Christ, there is no hope to accomplish these works. If even you do them, they amount to nothing before Him. We must turn from our sinful life to a righteous life in Christ. What does it take? Cry out to God and say have mercy on me, a sinner.

Grace and peace to you!

What have you learnt? Share with us.