Pay it Forward

Text: Ephesians 2:10
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. (NRSV)

Although God’s gift of grace is free and there is nothing that we must do to receive it, Paul explains in the following verse which is today’s verse, there is an expected response for those who have benefited from the grace of God.

In a since, God is “paying it forward” when he saves us by grace.  The expectation is that we will be transformed by the action of God and God’s grace and be “re”-created in Christ Jesus.  This recreation is for the purpose of continued good works to be done on behalf of God for others.

It becomes a never-ending line of good works.  I think of it as a series of dominos that have been stood up on end.  I’m sure you have seen them as one is pushed over causing a cascading effect of domino after domino falling.  God’s original act of grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus recreates us in the image of Jesus for the purpose of doing good works.  Our good works reach another for Christ who is then recreated in the image of Christ for good works, becoming an endless chain of grace stretching out into eternity.

Have you recognized yet that your new life in Christ Jesus is for good works?  Did you know that it is God who has paid it forward [beforehand] so that good works would ultimately be our way of life?  How have you been doing living your life of good works?

Pray with me:

God of grace and God of love, thank you for your grace that recreates me in Christ Jesus for good works.  May I live my life up to your expectations when you paid it forward for me.  May my life be a life dedicated to good works in your name.  AMEN.

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