I Am Created For His Good Work
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Ephesians 2 and Psalm 62 (NIV)
(Liana Seah, BeTween Chairperson)
READ
Ephesians 2: 1-10
v. 1: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins
v. 3: All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
v. 5: it is by grace you have been saved.
v. 9: not by works, so that no one can boast.
v. 10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Psalm 62: 11-12
v. 11: One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God,
v. 12: and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
OBSERVE:
In Psalm 62, David spoke of the enemy’s attacks, lies and deceit. In order to stand firm against them, he finds rest in God. He describes God as his rock, his salvation, his fortress, and his refuge. He reminds us not to believe the enemy’s lies and not to set our hearts on riches. He confidently declares that power belongs to God, with His unfailing love rewarding everyone according to what they have done.
In Ephesians 2, Paul reminded the Ephesians that firstly, salvation is a gift of God – not by works but by grace. Secondly, Jews and Gentiles are reconciled through Christ, and both are members of His household who have been bought by the blood of Christ. This gift of salvation is therefore offered to all. It also contains one of my favourite verses: ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’
APPLY:
This is a beautiful reminder that God has freed me from sin for joyful obedience. It is by grace that I was saved, not by works. I praise Him and thank Him for my salvation. As I draw near to Him, God has revealed His heart to me and called me into His kingdom work. I am thankful for this privilege to serve Him. He has granted me so much joy and meaning even when I am tired physically.
On the other hand, when I allow myself to follow my own desires and thoughts, not spending time with Him, my days can feel meaningless, at times, finding myself easily agitated and impatient, at other times, feeling helpless. By spending time with Him and drawing near to Him, my soul finds rest in Him. He is indeed my rock and my refuge.
DO:
I want to spend more time conversing with God when I wake up and throughout the day so I can find rest in Him as my refuge and lean on Him as my rock. I want to fulfil God’s purpose in my life which he has prepared in advance for me to do.
From the Strangely Warmed Retreat, I learnt the importance of spending a time of personal solitude with God. I want to start doing this on a weekly basis for a start.
PRAY:
Dear God
I thank You that I can lean on You as my rock and I can find rest in You. Draw me near to You and guide my steps daily so I can live according to Your will for Your purpose. Help me to resist temptation from my self-centred sinful nature. Free me for joyful obedience.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Sanctify me so I can grow in Christlikeness.
Thank you for the faith community in Wesley. Unite our hearts and destroy any dividing walls between us. Be our cornerstone and build us together to become a dwelling in which You live by Your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
