Spring 2004
The Purpose of our Good Works
Wade E Taylor

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

We are given the free gift of salvation. The created spiritual capacity that we have within us (in potential) was given to us at that time. It is the Lord’s desire and intention to bring forth the full outworking and maturing of this capacity.

He is the workman, we are the product. Our part is to cooperate, as we are “His workmanship.” He will work to increase the spiritual capacity that He has placed within us, as we rest in Him.

We are created in Christ Jesus, to “good works.” These “good works,” are not necessarily good things. The Word says, “All things work together for good.” A better way to say this is, “terrible things can work together for good, if we will allow them to do so.” Thus, it is not the “thing” that is important, but rather, what it accomplishes within us. Recently, the Lord used this principle to get my attention.

I was walking with a minister in Washington DC. We had parked the car and were walking up the street, toward the place where I live. I do not know why I did it, but I reached behind me, and discovered that my wallet was missing. We had been to a restaurant just before this and I said, “Maybe we ought to go back.” He said, “Let’s look in the car first.” So we started back toward the car. We walked about 50 feet, and there was the wallet, lying on the sidewalk. I said, “I think the Lord is trying to get our attention.” And immediately there came a manifest surge of the presence of God, and the Lord begin to speak.

“Created to good works.” The “good works” are the things that the Lord uses, to deal with issues within our lives that may become a hindrance to His higher purpose for us. These have to surface in order to be dealt with. I may have within me a potential for anger. The Lord can arrange a situation that will allow this potential to surface. Now, it can be dealt with, because it has been revealed. Therefore, “all things work together” for the purpose of revealing that which is in us, which needs to be dealt with.

We are created to good works, which the Lord has “before ordained” that we should walk in them. This means that He knew us before we ever knew Him (before ordained). The Lord imparted into us, before we were born, the capacity and the ability (potential) to accomplish that which He intends or desires for us accomplish.

We are not like a robot, simply because “this potential (good works) has been imparted within us.” We have the ability to choose. Notice, that we are “His workmanship.” We are created in Christ Jesus, to good works, which God has before ordained that we “should” walk in them. “Should” is a conditional word. In other words, I do not have to, but if I am wise, I will.

The Scripture says, “no one can come to the Lord, except they have been drawn of the Father.” Therefore, in that redemptive act of God, the Lord had a purpose. He saw a potential in us, and through intervention, began to draw us to Himself.

If I respond rightly, I will hold this “potential” before the Lord. I will yield, as clay in the potter’s hands in order to be “formed,” as He desires. It may be painful, or difficult, and it may happen in ways that I never thought of. But, it will happen, if I choose to walk in these “good works.”

As I think back to the time when the Lord began to work within my life, when I went into a chapel in the Army, early in 1944, and all that has transpired since, I marvel at all that has been accomplished, both within me, and through me. At that time, in 1944, the Lord saw me writing this article for the Banner, and worked in manifold ways to make this possible.

My part has been to respond, and cooperate with Him - in guidance, correction, chastening, and blessing - His “workings” within my life and circumstances, to bring me to the place where all this has become possible. I can recognize and rejoice in the fact that I am a product of His workmanship.

Now, I can look back over my life, and recognize the miracle of all this, and then express to Him my heart felt appreciation, in love and worship.