Do we do what we do because we know that it pleases God? Or, do we do it because it makes us feel good? Is it really possible for us to do the RIGHT things for the WRONG reasons? “…we are God’s workmanship, (poiēma: the works of God as our creator. We were created by God for good works and His intention for us is to be doing them) created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should WALK IN THEM.” (Eph. 2:10)
Even though “… you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air…among whom also we all once conducted ourselves IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, fulfilling the desires of the FLESH and of the MIND, and were by nature children of wrath…” (Eph. 2:2-3) In that state we were only capable of doing right things for wrong reasons because our heart was evil. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us ALIVE TOGETHER with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and made us SIT TOGETHER in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…that He might show the EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:4-7)
When we decide to follow Jesus, we become a NEW CREATION. We are forgiven. We are God’s children. What we do flows from who we are because of what Jesus has done for us. When we focus on knowing Jesus and FOLLOWING HIM, we are NOW EQUIPPED TO DO THE GOOD WORKS He wants us to do.
…obey in all things in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, DO IT HEARTILY, as TO THE LORD and not to men, KNOWING THAT FROM THE LORD YOU WILL RECEIVE THE REWARD OF THE INHERITANCE; FOR YOU SERVE THE LORD CHRIST…” (Col. 3:22-24)
-Bill Stockham