DAILY REMINDER #9 - "God has prepared good works for me"

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

This brings up one of the most fundamental deceptions in all of Christianity.  The thought that somehow our good works will grant us merit with God.  Completely false!  Isaiah 64 tells us that our "good works" are FILTHY RAGS in God's eyes.  That is literally translated as "menstrual cloths" (think used tampon).  Now, I know that's gross, but that is how God sees our "good works".  So...why has He prepared good works for us to do if that is how He sees them?  Great question...glad you asked!

The first thing you have to look at is this: Am I a good person because I do good things, or do I do good things because I am a good person?  They way we view that changes everything!  We are establishing here whether or not we view our relationship with Jesus based on legalism or based on grace.  Confused?  I was too.  Let me explain...

If I say that I am a good person because I do good things, then I am saying that my "goodness" or "righteousness" is earned, and therefore God owes me because I've earned it.  That is a legalistic mentality that so many Christians (myself included) are plagued with.  However, if I do good things because I am a good or "righteous" person, that is totally different.  You see, we as Christians have a righteousness that comes from God that is a gift of grace...it wasn't earned.  All we have to do to receive that gift of grace is simply believe (see Romans 4).  Abraham believed and it was accounted to him as righteousness.  So, when Abraham believed, he was instantly counted as a righteous man, and his actions began to change.

The same happens for us.  When we believe in Him, we instantly become righteous.  It isn't dependent on any of our works or deeds.  But, as recipients of this gift, we realize that we no longer desire to do the "bad" or "evil" things we once did.  We are walking in the good works that God prepared for us to walk in.  But we do it because we love Him, not because we are trying to earn His approval.

We are saved TO good works, not BY good works!