10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
When we use the term “way of life,” we mean “manner of living” or “how we operate.” The Bible sometimes simply uses the term “walk” instead. Your walk indicates how you live, how you roll.
How would you describe your walk, your way of life? What picture would you paint? What words would you choose?
God expresses what any member on His team's walk should look and feel like in Ephesians 2:10. It's an amazing profile. For those who are saved, on His team in Christ, it looks like this:
CONFIDENT APPROACH – God considers us His workmanship, a masterpiece in the making, a great work of His art. His confidence in His work surely rubs off on us.
FRESH FEEL – When a dead man is raised to life, his outlook on life radically changes from then on. Fantastic freshness accompanies the resurrected man or woman.
FILLED WITH SELFLESS SERVICE – Saved people become serving people.Their good works stack high, not in order to earn salvation, but because of the salvation they have received. They are ceaselessly grateful. They live for the One who died for them.
Every act of service then becomes worship. Selfless service is the only way to respond to real grace.
- FULL OF NOBLE PURPOSE – God's expressed purpose for mankind is that we become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). His game plan is to make us like Jesus.
Think about that! It sure gives our lives great dignity and purpose no matter how others see us.
- EVER MINDFUL OF GRACE – Grace (and mercy) always lead us home to a better way of life. Grace must lead. Walking by faith follows. Any other (self-defined) way cannot save. (v8,9)
Reflect: So, how's your way of life? Are you filled with godly confidence, marked by a distinct freshness, driven by selfless service, living out noble purpose, grace-driven and free of an earned-salvation mentality? If not, maybe it's time to get serious about grace as a way of life.
A prayer to consider: Lord Jesus, help me place high value on Your saving grace. May it drive and dominate my way of life. May others sense the confidence, freshness, selfless service, noble purpose and sweet obsession that Your grace brings me and be drawn to You too.
