“You Have Been Saved By Grace To Do Good Works!”

“You Have Been Saved By Grace To Do Good Works!”
We prepare the ground, plant the seeds, and spend considerable time tending the crops, but it is God Almighty who gives the growth. Grassfield wisdom says a child who is carried on the mother’s back cannot complain that the journey is long; nor that he has stepped on faeces.
We do not make ourselves to be what we become; not in this life or in the life after. Everything is by grace; including our salvation!
There was a time we lived by gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature until “God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression – it is by grace that we have been saved.”
Someone may ask, “If it is God who gives the growth why does he not just plant?” Or, “If we are saved by grace why should we do good works?” The answer is contained in the verses below:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves. It is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance” (Eph.2:4-10).
The difference is that it is not good works which saved us. If it were, some will boast about the efforts they put in. Rather we are saved by grace “to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Good works is a testimony to show that we have accepted salvation.
God’s grace is so wide, high and deep, including his kindness, unmerited favour and forgiving love. No-one can take credit for his or her salvation, becsuse no human effort can contribute to salvation! However, God has made us to be thankful beings. The main way to show this thankfulness is to do the good works which he prepared in advance.
So my friend, do good works and be good in appreciation for grace.
Weekend prayer: Thank you Lord for saving me by grace through faith in Christ. Help me do the good works you have prepared for me to do. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!