We were created to do good works

5  ApriL                       

Read Ephesians 2:4-10 and reflect on the passage.

Working for God’s favor forfeits it. That may seem like a strange thing to say, but the reality is that the opposite mindset is a form of legalism. Yes, the New Testament views Christian obedience as the practice of “good deeds” (works), and Christians are to be “rich in good deeds” (1 Tim. 6:18; cf. Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:17; Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14). However, a good deed is not only done according to the right standard—according to God’s moral law—but also, as J.I. Packer puts it, “from a right motive (the love to God and others that marks the regenerate heart); [and] with a right purpose (pleasing and glorifying God, honoring Christ, advancing his kingdom, and benefiting one’s neighbor)” (Concise Theology).

Legalism, then, by nature can never produce truly good works—in fact, it could even be called a “distortion of obedience.” Not only does it twist motive and purpose, but it sees good deeds as essentially ways to earn more of God’s favor than one currently has. Most important, it contains an underlying lovelessness in that it has a self-advancing purpose.

For Jesus, the Pharisees were the ultimate legalists, and the temptation is so strongly intrinsic in human beings that Paul constantly fought against this “Christ- plus” concept of salvation in his letters. Instead of improving our relationship with God, legalism in all its forms does the opposite. It puts that relationship in danger by stopping our focus on Christ, starving our souls, and feeding our pride. How wonderful it is that Christ’s love, favor, and redemption are free gifts that we cannot earn!

Questions

1. What would it look like for us to perform good works out of our love for Christ, rather than expecting more in exchange from Him?

2. What are some the good works we were “created for” that we might pour out on those around us?

Prayer

Father, how grateful we are that You favor us with Your goodness, love, and provisions. But most of all You favor us with redemption through the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

—Andrew Fuller