Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Text: Ephesians 2:10
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
When God created man, He imbued him with tremendous potential. But when sin entered into his life, it marred him terribly. In God’s matchless grace and wisdom, He worked out a wonderful solution called “Salvation”. In a nutshell, we could make the following statements:-
1. Saved from Sin
2. Saved from Satan
3. Saved for definite purposes
The following may be stated:-
a) To reflect God’s glory (Ephesians 1:12)
b) To reveal His matchless grace (Ephesians 1:6,7; 2:7)
c) To relate to God as His children (Ephesians 1:5)
d) To revel in God’s love (Ephesians 1:4; 2:4)
e) To be fully restored to a wonderful relationship with Him (Ephesians 2:6)
RE-CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS
It is interesting to note how Paul used the word “created” (“ktizo”) with reference to salvation.
1. The original idea of “creation”
This obviously applies to the idea of God creating the universe and all living things.
2. The special application of the word “creation”
The best way to read this phrase “created in Christ Jesus” would be to use the word “re-create”. The work of re-creation commences when we begin to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. (Another effective word would be “transformation”- Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18).
CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS
Paul wrote in a special pastoral letter to his spiritual son, Timothy to encourage believers to do good works. While works do not cause us to merit salvation, they demonstrate genuine salvation.
“Let them do good, that they may be rich in good works,
ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves
a good foundation for the time to come, that they may
lay hold of eternal life.”
1 TIMOTHY 6:18-19