Selfless

 

“But God, who is RICH IN MERCY, because of His GREAT LOVE with which HE LOVED US, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  that in the ages to come He might show the EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE in His KINDNESS toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.” – Ephesians 2:4-10

Rich in mercy, loving us with so great a love, He provided us the riches of His grace, His Kindness and the gift of Himself through the Holy Spirit received in salvation.  That’s Love.  That’s God.   All those traits are focused on the receiver - not the giver.  Loving the unlovable and caring for those that cannot do it by themselves. 

But where is our love in return?  A relationship built on love must include giving as much as receiving.

All He asks in return is that we work the good works that He has already prepared for us.  The good works are His ways – His precepts.  It’s more than just His commandments, written on tablets and taught to us so that we see our need for a savior.  His precepts are His way of life, a lifestyle change. 

It’s being good to those who don’t deserve it, loving the unlovable, feeding the hungry both bread and the word, visiting the lonely, praying for others, sharing Him.  But it’s not just performing the acts that He wants – but the lifestyle of giving and living for others that the acts embrace.  It’s putting others before us and our wants.  Isn’t that was Jesus did when he went to the cross? 

The good work is a lifestyle that resembles Christ.  That’s the work of a true Christian.  “Follow me” was not a path on a map.  It was an instruction to live as He lived.  It’s to live for others, and die to self.