Good Works: by Len Paxton

Good Works: by Len Paxton

Posted on September 18, 2010 by Pastor Len and Friends

Ephesians 2:8-10 (King James Version) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This verse taken in context, tells us that we are justified, sanctified, and saved by the finished work of Christ upon the Cross.

When we receive what Christ did for us at Calvary, we become “born-again”. Every born-again believer is the very workmanship of Christ.

When our faith is properly placed in the Cross then we are assured of the help of the Holy Spirit as He conforms us into the image of Jesus. The focus of this passage is not our doing, rather the emphasis is on “Created in Christ Jesus”.

We are told in this verse that we should walk in good works. Good works do not produce faith. But, proper faith will always produce proper works. So, the believer, walking in good works birthed of the Holy Spirit in the believers heart, is proof of that believers properly placed faith in the finished work of Christ upon the Cross. [See James 2: 14-26]

Good works never produces righteousness. Good works (works that God wants to perform through us) in the heart and life of the believer is the outflow of righteousness.

I heard Jimmy Swaggart put it this way, “My faith properly placed in the finished work of Christ upon the Cross will result in the help of the Holy Spirit in my life. Proper faith will produce proper works but proper works will never produce proper faith.” (from teaching at prayer meeting in Baton Rouge.)

Another quote by Jimmy Swaggart: “Imputed righteousness produces acts of righteousness”. (from “The Priesthood: A Type of Christ” tape 2)

Romans 8:29 tells us that every believer is predestinated to be conformed into the image of Christ. This can only be done by the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

Good works, acceptable to God, will flow from our hearts and lives, when we place our faith in Jesus sacrifice on the Cross. It is all about Jesus and not about us. It is about Grace and Faith. And Grace and Faith produce…