CD - The Third Article - Ephesians 2:8-10

The First Article of the Apostles’ Creed speaks to us about God the Father and His work of creation and preservation. The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed speaks to us about God the Son, Jesus Christ and His work of redemption and salvation. The Second Article speaks of justification. All the work of the Second Article, Justification has been completed. Ephesians 2:8,9 are quoted often to reminds us that we are saved by grace, through faith, apart from works of the law.

This Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed speaks to us about sanctification, about our living lives of faith by doing good works. This Article speaks to us about verse ten of Ephesians chapter two, that God has created us to do good works. Unfortunately, we often neglect to get to verse ten. We tend to err on the side of being saved by grace so much that it can become cheap grace. Paul is quite clear in verse ten that we are not saved for nothing, but we are saved to do good works, the good works which God has for us to do. So, what good works does God have for us to do and how do we know they are good works?

There is a difference between the social good works that anyone in society might do and those good works which are truly good works in God’s eyes. The good works that are done by society are good works which are motivated by self. Doing good works in order to gain recognition. Doing good works to make one feel better. Doing good works, because it is the right thing to do.

True good works in God’s eyes are those good works which are done because they are motivated by God; are done as God works them through us, and are done to the praise and glory of His Holy Name. Thus we can see that an unbeliever cannot do a good work in God’s eyes because faith is missing. Only Christians can do true good works in God’s eyes and when we do a good work in God’s eyes we realize that it is because God is doing it through us, to Him be the glory.

We should not be ashamed to speak about doing good works with the proper understanding of good works, because, like justification which is all done by God, so with sanctification, it all goes back to being done by God in and through us. Again, to Him be the glory.

Dear Lord, motivate me by Your Holy Spirit to do good works. Work those good works through me and do so in a way that brings praise and glory to Your Holy Name, because then I will know that it is a good work in Your eyes. To You be the glory. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.