Dave White

In the woodshop up here at camp, I have a plaque with Ephesians 2:10 inscribed in it.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” I really appreciate this verse because I am a builder.  I love to create things.  I like to invest in and create a good project.  I love the thought of God as the craftsman who is investing in me, making me into something good.

We are His.  God is King over all creation, and we are especially His if we have put our trust in Christ.  As a master craftsman, God is working on us.  With patience and precision, He is making us into who He has designed us to be.  We are being transformed into better representatives of Jesus.  As Titus chapter two says, the grace of God is “training us to renounce all ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self controlled, upright, and godly lives…”

In Christ, we are new creations. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are created in Christ for good works.  Now, the context of Ephesians chapter two is talking about the great works that God has done to reconcile us to Himself, but we also get to participate in the good works that He is up to.  First of all, He has paid the price to redeem mankind to Himself.  He is rescuing people from every tribe and nation.  Also, as a part of this redemption, He calls us to do good in our lives: to hold doors open for folk, to give to those in need, to keep our word, to love.

Before you or I took our first breath, God had a plan for you.  He has written every one of your days in a book.  Your whole life is spread before Him like a map, and He has prepared a way for you to walk.  As you walk, He has designed special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for you to do good works and to tell of the good works our Lord has done.

Our lifestyle, our way of doing things, should be saturated with the good works prepared and produced by the Holy Spirit.  By His leading and enabling, we should walk in good works.  God has called us to a holy life, which is a call to be noticeably different.  The difference people see in us should be seen through the good works we are doing.  They will know that we are His as we show love for each other. (John 13:35)

Remember that you are God’s precious workmanship, and remember that you are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand; and walk in them.  May our lives stand out so that we are able to preach with both our lives and our words of the good things God has done in Jesus Christ.  May the Holy Spirit continue to shape us and train us through the mighty grace of God.