For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
We are saved by God’s grace, through faith, apart from anything we do (Eph. 2:8-9). But that is not the end of the story. Paul goes on to say that we are God’s handiwork. He has done a work in us. And he continues to work in us as a master potter sitting at his wheel and forming us into the image of Christ.
We were created in Christ Jesus. What we were has been replaced by a new creation. We were dead in our sin as we lived in the world (Eph. 2:1-3). But we have been made alive in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7).
But being created in Christ was not the end. It is just the beginning. We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. To be doing good things that will build up the kingdom of God. While this can include my calling as a teacher, it more naturally refers to things like caring for the sick, helping those in need, and giving to others (Matt. 25:31-40).
These are works that God prepared in advance for us to do. I am not forced to do anything. Yet God has specific opportunities for me to do good. Opportunities that he had planned for long ago.
My salvation is not by works. But God has prepared work for me to do. The opportunities to do good that come my way are not just random occurrences. They are a part of God’s plan for my life. And as I take advantage of the opportunities he gives, he uses them to shape me into the image of Christ.
