Wednesday September 20th, 2017 Ephesians 2:4-10
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (verse 10)
Today’s reading is at the very heart of Lutheran theology. Every Lutheran confirmand has been taught that good works don’t cancel out our wrongdoings. Nope, works righteousness does not buy us forgiveness or salvation. Grace and faith are gifts we are given by Christ. They are free, and there is nothing we can do to earn them.
Accepting a gift without giving one in return is so very hard for us to do. If good works won’t gain a person any brownie points with God, why bother to do them?
Is there any point in doing good works if we have already been saved without them? What a quandary!
It took several readings of today’s verses before I realized that I had paid no attention to the last verse. We are not only saved and forgiven through the gifts of faith and grace, we have been transformed. Good works are what we do as followers of Christ. Along with faith and grace, we have been given the gift of doing good works without any strings attached.
Lord, you have given us so many gifts. Show us how to share them with others. Amen. — CKA
Contributed by Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bath Water
Today's reading is at the very heart of Lutheran theology. Every Lutheran confirmand has been taught that good works don't cancel out our wrongdoings. Nope, works righteousness does not buy us forgiveness or salvation. Grace and faith are gifts we are given by Christ. They are free, and there is nothing we can do to earn them.
Accepting a gift without giving one in return is so very hard for us to do. If good works won't gain a person any brownie points with God, why bother to do them?
Is there any point in doing good works if we have already been saved without them? What a quandary!
It took several readings of today's verses before I realized that I had paid no attention to the last verse. We are not only saved and forgiven through the gifts of faith and grace, we have been transformed. Good works are what we do as followers of Christ. Along with faith and grace, we have been given the gift of doing good works without any strings attached.
