Monday: Saved by... and for...

Ephesians 2:8-9 are failure verses to us. We often use them when we share the Gospel to people. If you've grown up in church you've likely heard verse 10 spoken about. Jesus' gift of dying on the cross for us and in our place, and then rising again on the third day is an amazing gift given to us. This gift is described by the words of grace and faith. Both in verses 8 and 9 are gifts from God. None of us can earn or attain that gift of salvation on our own. Does that mean Christianity is void of works? No!

While we are saved by grace through faith, these gifts from God have an intended purpose. We are not saved BY works, we are saved FOR good works. A mentor of mine said we are "blessed to be be a blessing." God, in his plan for our lives, wishes that we serve and bless others. This is modeled after Jesus who gave himself. The question is, are you walking in the good works that God prepared for you? Life may be hard and not fair, but that does not mean we can't be a blessing to those around us. It is a big reason God saved us. Be a blessing. Work hard at doing good.