We are the new creation in Christ Jesus, made for good deeds the Lord has determined for us II

Dear children of God, welcome to our column “Daily word for spiritual strength”! Our God is alive, He wants His children to stay alive via the truth of the God´s word ready for every good work.

We concluded that God has created and redeemed us for good works! Besides, for the good works made in Christ Jesus. We also mentioned that in case you are not “made in Christ” by your faith yet, your good works will not made you righteous before God – whatever your good deeds are.

This is the topic Paul expands in his letter to Ephesians:

«for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.»

(Ephesians 2:8-10).

Here we can see that person is not made righteous by his deeds. God never declares somebody righteous by his many good works. Vice verse, God makes righteous those who accept His gift by faith, namely Christ Jesus. A person becomes good in God´s eyes by faith when he believes in good works God has done in Christ.

«What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt. But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.”» (Romans 4:1-8).

What do we see here? If God made someone righteous by his/her good deeds it would not be something given by grace but a debt paid by God. Meanwhile, according to our sinful nature we are those who have debt unpaid before God and the only way we can pay that debt is burning in hell forever. Now it´s clear that our good deeds are not enough to make us righteous before God. Consequently, we need grace from God, who is our Supreme Judge and the Only One who can cancel any judgement against us. Our faith that Jesus has paid for all our sins, laid His life for us and resurrected to make us righteous is the condition we have to meet in order to receive that grace. By such faith we receive forgiveness followed by righteousness and peace with God.

«Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.». (Romans 5:1-2).

So, without faith in Christ Jesus there´s no righteousness, without righteousness there´s no peace nor access to God´s mercy. Without righteousness and peace with God all your good works cannot bring you the true satisfaction nor those can make your life meaningful.

Surely it doesn´t say it would be better for a man to do evil instead of doing good works, never ever. Meanwhile, it tells us about the necessity to submit your life to God first, then minister in His Name. This is the only way you do the really good works.

Jesus said: «He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters» (Luke 11:23). Doing good works without Jesus is waste of your energy and resources. I am sure no wise person would ever waste his energy, means, time or life. I also believe that each of you wants to be wise and really fruitful in the Kingdom of God. That´s why let´s do good works in Him and gather instead of scattering.  

Let´s continue tomorrow!

God´s peace be with you!

Rufus Adjiboje, pastor