Walking in good works
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10).
The first time Paul uses the word “walk” in his letter to the Ephesians, it describes their past lives. In contrast, His next mention of “walk” is linked to good works. They had been delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). Genesis describes Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Isaac as men who “walked with God”. Paul doesn’t use the word “walk” to describe a physical act. He uses it as a metaphor for daily Christian living in fellowship with God. It is uplifting to see God’s work in the glory of creation. We see this in the wonders of our universe and the astonishing diversity, complexity and beauty of planet earth. But Paul also writes of God’s workmanship in His new creation in Christ and the good works which manifest it.
There is a lighthouse built on the Bell Rock in the North Sea, 11 miles east of the Firth of Tay. Each stone was shaped on land and transported out to sea and fitted together on the Bell Rock until the structure rose to its height of 116 ft. There the Bell Rock Lighthouse has stood shining its light for the safety of shipping for over 200 years. One day Christ will present His Church to Himself. It will be made up of every blood-bought saint. Paul writes that Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her and one day she will be seen in all her perfection and glory (Ephesians 5:25-27). It is built upon Christ: “On this rock, I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18). Until that day of presentation, as members of that same church, we are to shine for Christ both individually and together in fellowship. We shine by God’s work of grace in us, “created in Christ Jesus for good works”.
Because we are saved by grace, we are almost afraid of the idea of good works. However, these are not done to obtain salvation, but to show we have salvation. The world coined the expression “do-gooders” to belittle righteousness. But when Peter spoke in the house of Cornelius to a Gentile audience, he referred to Jesus in this way, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Peter involves the whole of the Trinity in the Lord Jesus’ ministry of doing good and healing. As Christians, we need to understand afresh how God wants to move in our lives for good. God had this in mind beforehand. In the New Testament, there are so many examples of people Jesus saved who immediately testified to their salvation by good works. Zacchaeus said, “Half of my goods I give to the poor” (Luke 19:8). Jesus didn’t tell him to do that, but salvation produced the good work. Spiritual good works are selfless acts. Sometimes they emerge spontaneously from our hearts to a need presented to us by God. Sometimes God exercises us to do something for the rest of our lives. They characterise our service and spring from a genuine desire to please the Lord by benefiting others. They are free-will offerings. And God delights in the ministry of the Lord Jesus being carried out by His children when they go about doing good.
Each day is a fresh opportunity to “Trust in the Lord, and do good” (Psalm 37:3).
