We Are God’s Handiwork
“1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We are not only created by God, but we are also reborn in Jesus Christ. God's purpose in this rebirth is that we may live a life of good works—works that reflect His grace. The essence of these good works is to reveal the mercy and love of God to the world.
God’s grace is given solely out of His compassion and love, not by our own merits. Therefore, the good works we do should not be for our own recognition but as a testimony of the grace we have received. When we remember that our salvation is entirely by God’s grace and not by our own efforts, we live with gratitude, bearing witness to that grace in our daily lives.
A life of faith is not one of fear and uncertainty but of deep assurance and thanksgiving in God’s grace. Despite our weaknesses, God has renewed us and given us life through Christ. May we, today and always, be ever more aware of His grace and live in such a way that His love is made visible through our good works.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for raising us from death in sin and seating us with Christ in heavenly places. Grant us the strength to live a life of goodness, not for our own pride but to display the richness of Your grace. Help us to be sensitive to Your grace and use our lives, however small, to reveal Your saving work to the world. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)