Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 9 – Ephesians 2:8-10 – His Workmanship – Growing As Disciples

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

Good Works

I know a few things about those. You know a few things about what? I know a few things about good works. I’d like to hear what you know about good works. So, go ahead, I’m listening. Tell me what you know. First, I know only what I have been taught. I am not pridefully holding up what I know. I only know what I have heard and seen and learned and received from you. And even then, my knowing, is faulty. Understood, go ahead. Most importantly, I have learned, your salvation is a free gift. Nothing I have done or could ever do would earn or merit my salvation. Trying to earn or merit my salvation, by doing good works, would not be pleasing to you in any way, shape or form. No, it would not. What is pleasing to you, is receiving my salvation by faith in all that Jesus Christ has done for me on the cross. His death and resurrection secured my salvation and has given me a completely new life in Him. He is my Savior and Lord. You are my God and Father. I have been filled by your Holy Spirit, who is like a deposit, guaranteeing my inheritance in heaven. All this has come to me by faith, as a gift. Yes. None of what you have given to me has been earned. So, I have nothing to boast about. How am I doing so far? You have listened and learned well. Keep going.

So, I can confidently say that I have not been saved by good works. That is correct. But on the day, I turned my life over to you, a work was started in me. What sort of work? You have been molding and shaping my life. I am your workmanship. You are the potter. I am the clay. I am the work of your hands. Yes, you are, without a doubt. You have been preparing me to do good work for you. You have given me gifts and talents and abilities. You have been teaching and training me. You have been getting me ready. What have I been getting you ready for? You have good works already lined up and ready for me to do for you. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You have places you want me to go. You have things you want me to do. How do you feel about that? I feel excited. I feel grateful. I feel thankful. The idea that you want to use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans is incredibly amazing. The thought that I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name is astounding. To all of this I can only say, “Here I am Lord, use me!” That is very good. Yes, I will use you to do good works that I have prepared for you. You will bear fruit for my Kingdom and bring glory to my name. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the free gift of salvation I have in Jesus Christ. I know I have not been saved by any of my good works. Thank you for molding and shaping my life. I’m the work of your hands. Help me to do the good works you have prepared for me. Amen

Key Question… How has your Heavenly Father been molding and shaping your life since the day you gave your life to Him?

Living It Out… Be ready and willing to go and do all the good works that your Heavenly Father has prepared you to do for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father is making you ready and able to go and do good works for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what good works your Heavenly Father has given you to do for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you do the good work that God created you to do.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Promises – Day 9 – Ephesians 2-8-10 – His Workmanship – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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