March 2019 Prayer Diary
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. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
As a Christian, what do you think your purpose in life is? What is the reason for it all?
Paul knew what he was living for. He knew why God made him. The clarity with which he understood God’s will made him all the more effective in accomplishing the tasks he had before him. Paul knew that his commitment to live for God would be demonstrated in practical ways.
Jesus also came to do good works. ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45). Christ’s work does not stop with His saving work on the Cross. He continues to work in and through us as we live out our faith.
I often refer to the necessary connection between the head, hands and heart in authentic ministry and I believe God has inseparably joined grace, faith, and works together in His plan for the salvation of humanity. This new way of life is what we were made for originally, and what Christ modelled for us, that we might walk in His way.
Good works reflect Christ's ministry, that which He has designed us to do, for we are His workmanship, made in His image; and so we are most like Him when we serve others and give our lives away for the sake of the gospel.
This is the reason Paul speaks of design and workmanship, for God has hand-crafted us for His purposes and has already planned and designed the good works He has for us to do. Some we have been trained for. Others we are being shaped for. Apart from the good work of spreading the good news, we do not know what good works that the Lord has planned for us, so we must focus on the ones at hand and trust Him for those that are coming.
If you think that God is not using you, reflect on the state of your heart. Our invitation is to show the love of Jesus that He has shown us. Are you willing to accept this purpose?
Remember, good works are not our good efforts but our willingness for Christ to live out His life through our lives.
Blessings,
Dawn Penney & the Korus Connect Team
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