God Created You for Good Works
Have you ever wondered why you’re here, on this earth? Do you know what it is to wonder if your life has any meaning at all? I do.
If so, the gospel is good news for you.
It's easy to look at the gospel as the means by which we are free from death and hell and the wrath of God. While this is true, it is also true that through the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sins, we are free for something: namely, to live for God by engaging in the good works to which He has called us (Romans 6:23; Romans 8:1; John 3:36; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:15).
Truth be told, freedom from and freedom for are two sides of the same coin. When Jesus died and was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, he made it possible for sin to no longer have a hold on us (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:2,11). We know this because after he resurrected, He ascended to heaven and there He sends all who believe in his work and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:50-51, John 15:26). It is the Holy Spirit who helps us turn away from sin (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:29). Yet, we aren't merely "trying not to sin." With the Holy Spirit, we have the power to live for God and work out our salvation with good works.(Galatians 5:16; Philippians 2:13, 1 Timothy 2:10).
In Ephesians 2:10, we discover that God the Father has not only saved us from something, but for something: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (ESV, emphasis added).
In Christ, we have purpose. We are meant for good works. The text says that God prepared these works ahead of time for us. That means God created us with purpose and intentionality, and an implication is that He planned for us to do good in the world He made. Let me say it again: Our creation is not random, it’s meaningful.
You are not invisible to God. He truly has good plans for you. Furthermore, the works God has for you aren't necessarily limited to a job role or a career (although it's clear that these opportunities can provide us opportunities to engage in good works). Paul worked as a tentmaker to support himself and did not charge in his work as an apostle, even though he could have (Acts 18:1-4; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18). Yet God says that He called Paul and Barnabas to the work of ministry (Acts 13:2). Tabitha, a follower of Jesus, was known for her works of charity, sewing garments for widows (Acts 9:36-39).
When you offer a listening ear to a friend, that's a good work.
When you proclaim the gospel with children at VBS, that's a good work.
When you cook a meal for a shut-in widow, that's a good work.
To put it frankly, we need to stop seeing our jobs as the only ways in which we find purpose and meaning. To be sure, most of us spend the majority of our time working for pay. Yet I submit to you that whatever good work it is you do, whether compensated or non-compensated, it is part of your purpose.
And that is something for which to thank God. You don't have to feel aimless. You don't have to try to make up your own purpose. You don't have to put up apathy as a guard to the anxiety you feel - you're free to care about the things that move the heart of God.
That, my sister, is good news.
Discussion Questions
What is one good work you can engage in today?
How does knowing that God created you intentionally impact your view of yourself and of Him?
What are ways you can live free in the light of the gospel?