Are We Doing What We Were Created For?

Great question and an even greater way to measure our lives. 

You know I like simple stuff.  Simple easy ways to see if I am on track.  I think this is an easy way to do so.

So the question is: What did God create us for?

Ephesians 2:10(NKJV)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Seems pretty clear to me.  God created us for good works that God prepared ahead of time for us to do. 

So how do we know if we are on track or not?  Are we doing any good works?  What is our attitude towards good works?  Are we always on the lookout for ways to do more good works?  Why is it so important to God that we do good works? 

Great questions all.  But let me start by being very clear that whether or not we do good works or not has no effect on our salvation.  Scripture is very clear that we are saved by our Faith in Jesus Christ, period! 

So why then do you think good works is a big deal?  I personally believe that when we take action (works) it is an outward physical manifestation of our inner faith.  Good works often requires us to step out in faith.  In other words it is a way to "prove" our faith to God.  We are willing to step out and try to do things that we may not feel totally qualified or equipped to do…but we do it anyway because God asked us to. 

God will ask us to do things that are outside of our comfort zone.  Why does God do that?  I think there are several reasons but I will touch on just a couple.  First it requires us to submit and be obedient to God because let's face it, most of us aren't willing to step out of our comfort zones voluntarily.  But the fact is much of what we truly want and desire in life can be found on the other side of our comfort zones.  God knows that and that is why He tries to move us in that direction.  It is good for us.   

The other reason, and this is a huge belief of mine, is that God has identified some new skills that He wants you to develop if you will only let Him.  When you use those new skills in doing good works for God one of the benefits is that you also get to use those skills in your personal life, often leading to a better life all around!

And finally why do I think it is so important to always cheerfully look for new ways to serve God by doing good works?  Because Scripture tells us that is what we were created for.  I just personally think it is an affront to God to refuse to do what He created us for.  To just spit in God's eye and purposely waste the talents that He gave seems to me to be a situation I don't want to ever find myself in. 

How about you?