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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Ephesians 2:8-10
“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 for us to do.”
Salvation is a gift of grace. It’s a ‘Ring of Truth’!
It takes faith on our part to believe and guess what – even that faith is a gift from God to us.
Hello. Every part of our salvation is God initiated and God given. Even the faith to believe it in the first place. That is why people who say they are ‘searching for God’ or ‘found God’ need to re-think their theology. It is God who has ‘chosen’ us; it is God who is constantly drawing us to Himself; it is God who is doing all He can to make us realise how much He loves us and longs for us to return to His family. It is He who runs with open arms when we, like the prodigal, ‘find ourselves’ and return home. Then He showers His gifts upon us. (See also Luke 15:11-31.)
Yes, it is all God-initiated, God-given and God-sustained. It is NOT of works. There is nothing you can ever say, do, or achieve which will ever bring you salvation. Nor can you ‘do it’ for anyone else. The choice is theirs and theirs alone.
When we eventually get into Heaven, it will not be because we were good, gave to the church or the poor, helped the aged and lonely, or said a few prayers every day. It will be possible only through having accepted and trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, and His death for us.
It is a free gift – “so that no one can boast.” We all have to master pride and the only way to do that is for us to die daily at the Cross and let God live by His Spirit in and through us.
Yes, afterwards God expects us “to do good works”. To help the poor, feed the hungry, give hospitality to the lonely, aged and unloved. But not now out of selfish egotism, a sense of guilt or duty, but out of the overflow of a grateful heart to God. God has created us in His image so that once back in His family, we can display our true character – the character God has given us.
God has a ‘general’ plan for us all – “to do good works”. To care for His world; to love, protect, encourage and provide for our parents, spouse, children and extended family; to bless those for whom we work; to be generous to the Family of God and the poor; to help and witness to our neighbours, to bring justice to the oppressed and righteousness to a corrupt world. To bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. To set at liberty the captives, to bind up the broken-hearted and preach Good News. (See also Isaiah 61:1-3.)
“We are God’s workmanship.” That means He wants to change us so that we display the characteristics of our Saviour and Creator.
He also has a ‘specific’ plan for each one of us. There are qualities that you have; there are abilities and a mix of gifts and talents that only you have that reveal Jesus in a unique way. There is also a ‘custom built’ plan of God for your individual life. Now that is awesome, isn’t it?
Let Him reveal it to you so you reveal Him to the world.
What “good works” are you involved with? Make a list and see how they develop.
What is God’s unique custom-built plan for your life? Remember it is good.
Are you living it? If not, why not?
If you are, do you thank Him for it every day? If not, start right now.
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