How will God use me? That’s a mind-boggling question. It is a question some people never ask, and others ask over and over.
The first group lives their lives as if they were their own God. They make decisions based on what they consider is best for them, never coming to a point in their lives of surrendering their will to God. Many do not acknowledge there is a God. Therefore, they answer to no one.
The next group believes there is a God and profess Him as their Savior. This group also can be divided. Many think they are ok, they say a prayer, go to church, do a few good deeds, treat their neighbors fairly, and all will be well with their lives. They do not believe God is interested in their day-to-day living. They do many things that are not best for their Christian testimony under the guise of Christian liberty.
Then there are those who truly believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They understand the depravity of man and are grateful for their salvation. Yet, they still sometimes struggle with understanding grace and works. They are sincere seekers of God’s will for their lives.
In Ephesians 2:10, Paul teaches us that we are God’s workmanship. He created us, forgave us, and for the rest of our lives, we are to be learning and working for Him. We are created not by good works, but unto them. In Ephesians 2:8 & 9, we see that it is not our works that save us. Nothing we can do on our own will merit salvation. It is a gift from God, but once we are saved, we are to work for Him and glorify Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”
As we see the grace He has extended to us through faith, we understand that this grace is extended to forgive us, and make us into a new creation. A creation that is now fit to be used by Him to do good works. Without this grace to forgive and make us His, our good works are worthless to Him.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
If our lives don’t exhibit good works after salvation, we need to check our salvation. Paul tells us in II Corinthians 5:17 if we are in Christ, we are a new creature. We will be different. Our desires for the sinful things of the past will no longer appeal to us. While we may stumble and fall into temptation, the guilt over going back to our old ways will drive us to our knees in repentance. Everything about us takes on new meaning. We feel free to serve without the weight of sin controlling us. Our desire is to serve and do good works to glorify our Master. He is Master, which means He is in control. We no longer are seeking to please ourselves we are seeking to please Him.
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new”
After our new birth in Him, he wants to mold us into the image of His son, Jesus. Like the potter with the clay, it may take several times on the wheel before the clay becomes a thing of beauty. Ephesians 2:10 says He is preparing us for the good works that He desires for us, and planned for us before we were saved. Long before we allowed Him to put us on the wheel. He had a plan of good works for us. Do you realize He already has acts of service arranged for you to be involved in before you said yes to him? However, if we are to know what we are to do we must do our part. We must humbly and dependently walk with Him every day. He ordained it beforehand, but we must “walk in them.”
Jesus talked about how we are to do His good work in John 6:28-29. They ask, “what shall we do that we might work the works of God?” These men had been following Jesus and many commentators believe they were earnestly seeking to be saved but they were seeking, as many do today, but expected it by their works. Jesus made it very clear their first work must be to believe in Him. It is our exercising of faith that brings us into the workings of God. We must follow His plan and believe that His plan is best for our lives. It involves walking in dependence on Him every day.
John 6:28-29 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
As we walk with Him, we allow Him to guide us to the good works He has planned for us. When we seek His will, He will empower us to do the work He has for us. We are empowered by His grace, just as the early Christians were in Acts 4:33. God never intended for us to do His works on our own. It is through His empowerment that others see Him in us. When we depend on Him to help us fulfill the work He has for us, we will be a great witness for Him.
Act 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
Every Christian has been commanded to obey and to be a good witness for Him. The more we obey the more we will see where He is preparing a way for us to work for Him. Fall in love with Jesus, show yourself faithful in all opportunities He places in your path, and He will use you.
