Works

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭

God has a good work that He wants to complete in each of us. From my experience He gives us the option (aka free will) of cooperating with Him or doing things in our own works and will. He wants what is best for us, but He never forces us to let Him work in and through us.

I know a lot of people struggle with finding their purpose and “what specific works?” The Bible offers much advice about His work. So lets explore some of what it says.

First our works will be an expression of our faith. We can say we believe something but if our actions don’t back that up, it isn’t faith.

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭26‬ ‭

Second, our works don’t save us. We can not earn God’s grace. It is freely given to us. We are His workmanship. I picture how a cup is the workmanship of the creator. It doesn’t have to work to be a cup, the work was done by the creator to make it for that purpose. It’s purpose, it’s “work” is to allow a person to drink and quench their thirst. Godard us and prepared us for a specific thing, just like a cup has a specific purpose.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should 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 ‭

Third, our first work should be to love God He warned two churches in Revelation about their works. With the Ephesians, He let them know He saw all the work, but they had left Him in the progress. Our works for Him can not replace our time with Him.

““I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭4‬

Fourth, we must not allow anything or anyone to come lead us astray. He warned the church at Thyatira because they had allowed tainted spirits or persons into the fellowship. We can not let sin creep in through complacency or trying to appease others or the world. If it doesn’t line up with the Word, it shouldn’t be tolerated in believers.

““I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ ‭

Finally, regardless of what we are doing, we are to do it unto the Lord. If you are a parent taking care of a child, do it unto the Lord. If you are a spouse, do your duties unto the Lord. If you are in corporate America or in a blue collar job, work into the Lord.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”. ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬

There are just a few of the things that God says about our work.The world you live in is your mission field. It is in your daily interactions your faith is proved. That is where people can see God’s grace worked out in your imperfections. That is where you love God by loving others. It is where you stay His standard despite the temptations. It is when you work unto Him wherever you are that His good work is completed in you.

Lord, I want to stay out of Your way and let You complete Your work in me. Make me a willing vessel that is quick to obey and willing to work in whatever role You have designed me for on this earth. Let my whole life honor You.