"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
"So that no one can boast." There is such an internal struggle in the human psyche over the need to boast. None of us, and especially me, are naturally humble. We all want recognition for our accomplishments. But here in Ephesians we find a tenant of our faith that builds upon the necessity of humility.
What you do after accepting God's grace and receiving His gift of salvation for your life will not and can not affect that salvation. Conversely, what you do with your life after accepting His grace is a direct representation of your sincerity for repentance and your love for the Father. You can not have faith without works, but you can have works without faith. Does that make sense? God doesn't need your works. He desires your repentance. The works you do after that should flow from your heart of repentance.
Works apart from God are fruitless anyways. Your works can't save you. Ask any believer that has pored themselves into an effort only to be disappointed by the lack of instantaneous or tangible results. We are but the workers weither that be planted, waterer, or harvester. We go out and we work. We toil in fields that we have not planted and harvest fields that are not our own. God calls each of us to our own task. Our success however is not based upon the harvest of that task but rather our heart in completing the task and our willingness to follow our master's will. Leave the results at the feet of the Father. He is holy, glorious and powerful enough to take your efforts and turn them into His glory. And all of this, so that no man may boast.
Do what God has told you to do. Place the results in the hands of God. Find your worth in the love of your father. Stay humble and glorify God in all you do. Know that your salvation is secure in the Lord. Don't chase it. Be blessed by it.
Comments
Post a Comment