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| Works, our purpose for being saved? |
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2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This verse clearly communicates a sense of purpose, because it answers the question, “why?”. Why were we created in Christ Jesus? The answer is, to do good works!
"But wait", I hear you say, "I thought it was so we could have a relationship with God?"
Yes that’s true! But if we’ve really given our heart to that relationship, can’t we expect to contribute something? What’s our part?
The Bible doesn’t portray God as a detached observer, watching and waiting for us to carry out all his plans. We’re told that God is very active, at work himself (Rom 8:28; 1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1; Gal 2:8). Therefore, the verse quoted above is like an invitation to join him in his work, in partnership!
Maybe like a marriage? When both partners love each other, working together brings purpose and mutual fulfillment to the relationship! (By contrast, try to imagine a marriage where one partner contributes absolutely nothing.)
Arguments and misunderstandings regarding the role of works in salvation persist in the church—a controversy for the ages! In this passage in Ephesians, I believe the healthy perspective is revealed. Good works are purely a matter of the heart, and there is no room for pride. All praises are due to God, none to me, as it should be!
(part 3 of 3 … the original blog was too long, and broke up nicely into 3 separate thoughts) |
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| To add a comment to "Works, our purpose for being saved?" |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| Awesome word my friend and you sure do have it bang on. |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| Amen Mike and Laura, I think Fruit is the evidence of our Faith and without them our faith is dead...Love yall. PC |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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There definitely is no room for pride - HUMILITY ALL THE TIME.
Praise be to the Lord for this great message. God bless you, Mike. |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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partnership!
I like that because I know that every job God sends my way, "We" are serving together. I like what you said about the marriage partnership and contributions. Great blog. Thanks for sharing the Love. |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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Amen! Love it. :) |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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AMEN! |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| Great analogy Mike. |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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yup.... don't let either of your hands know what the other one is doing. |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| Did you see the movie PAY IT FORWARD? |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| pay it forward was`a good show |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| What is way cool is that when you grow closer to the Lord, there is no slighted feelings giving Him the glory anyway. :) |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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the close we get to Him, the more like Him we want to become. The more like Him we become, the more we desire to do. He puts His desires in us, to do His works. The question is though, what are GOOD WORKS. |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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Lynne, have not seen Pay It Forward. I take it that it's a good one? Gary, I just want to please my abba Father. The "good works" are the things HE calls me to do with him. I don't even feel like I have any control over the assignments anymore. I say ok, then marvel at where I find myself, doing things he apparently wanted me to do. Thanks for the question bro, hope the answer makes sense! lol Thank you for ALL the input on this blog! Am still in Norfolk, Virginia, working the exhibit both at a conference, with my boss, so not much time available for interacting here on MC. :( |
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| May 12, 2009 |
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No slighted feelings at all, Juanita! lol |
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| May 13, 2009 |
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I believe the fruits of the spirit are good works!!!! Loving one another as Jesus loved us is good works!!!!!! Showing by doing for one another is good works!!!!!!
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| May 13, 2009 |
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The beauty of our love for our Father through works. |
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| May 13, 2009 |
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| May 13, 2009 |
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| Mike, this just sums up the Golden Rule, too, doesn't it? BE LIKE CHRIST. What Would Jesus Do? Follow Jesus. How much more simple can the instructions be...we are stubborn-headed people. My husband and I are trying our best to teach our daughter to "Do What Jesus Would Do" whenever she has a decision, choice, action to make. I pray that we are presenting a good example for her in our decisions, choices and actions. That tongue sure does need to be suppressed, though! UGH! |
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| May 14, 2009 |
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Good blog. One of your shortest, so I thought I would let you know this is the way I like Sunday Morning sermon. Short, sweet and hard to beat.
God Bless You Brother |
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