"Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works"

By A. A. Meeks, Sr.

Ephesians 2:10

When a person is a Christian, he has some responsibilities placed upon him by the Lord who died to save him. Since the Lord did die in order that people might be saved, the Christian should be glad to accept these responsibilities and fulfill them to the best of his ability. In Ephesians 2:10, the Lord said, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Here, the writer tells us that since Christians have been created in Christ Jesus, we are to walk in (perform) good works. This is the duty (and privilege) of a Christian. To fail to walk in (perform) good works is to fail in our responsibility to God. What are these good works? They are things the Lord has commanded us to do. Let us think about one of the things included in the “good works” which we are to do.

We should be helpful to the people around us. Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The Lord tells me to act toward other people like I want them to act toward me — not like they act toward me. I want people to help me when in need, so I help them. I want them to be kind and understanding and forgiving toward me, so I am kind and understanding and forgiving toward them. If I am a Christian, I will behave toward other people the way I want them to behave toward me.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Both of these last verses tell us that, as Christians, we are responsible to God for helping other people. Let us all try to find opportunities and ways to aid those around us who are in need of our assistance.