For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

  - Ephesians 2.10

Observe the forms and beauties of sensible things, and comprehend the Word of God in them. If you do so, the truth will reveal to you in all such things only he who made them, outside of whom you have nothing to contemplate, for he himself is all things.

  - Eriugena, Homily on John 1.1-14, Irish, 9th century[1]

Why have we been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ? Is it just so we’ll get to heaven some day?

Of course, we rejoice that this is true for all who truly know and love the Lord Jesus. But this is not completely why He has left us here for now. We also have been created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Why did He die and rise again so that we might be forgiven and live? So that in Him we might take up good works, and thus, as Jesus did, bear witness to our heavenly Father, Who is all goodness, beauty, and truth.

Life in the Kingdom involves the pursuit and practice of good works, because these refract the reality of our good God to the watching world. Paul says that believers should be “zealous” for doing good works (Tit. 2.14), “ready” for good works (Tit. 3.1), “careful to maintain good works” (Tit. 3.8), and that we should “learn” to do so that we “may not be unfruitful” (Tit. 3.14).

But how can we know which works are good, and which, therefore, we ought to pursue? Three ways.

First, by studying and reflecting on the good works of our Lord Jesus Christ – His mercy, kindness, and sacrificial ways (Acts 10.38; Phil. 2.5-11). Jesus gives us many examples of doing good as we see Him reaching out to those in need and speaking the truth in love. We also see Him resisting the devil, humbling the haughty, and preparing His disciples for good works more abundant than His own (Jn. 14.12). The good works Jesus did are the good works we should do in Him.

Second, we can learn which works are good by meditating on the Law of God, and thinking through its application to our everyday lives. The Law is holy and righteous and good (Rom. 7.12); we should expect, therefore, that it will guide us in those good works prepared beforehand for us.

Finally, as Eriugena explained, we may begin to discern what is good by studying the creation itself. Though the creation has been touched by the fall, still, there is enough of the original goodness of God in creation to allow us to discern what God expects of us (Gen. 1.31). We may discover in the creation examples of beauty, efficiency, community, and practical wisdom (think: Proverbs). Thus we may expect the study and contemplation of creation to suggest many ways that we, too, might reflect the goodness of God in our daily lives.

We have been created for good works, and those good works will certainly differ from the dead works we habitually did while we were yet in our sins.

But knowing which good works to embrace, and how to live them out, does not come automatically. Instead, we must give ourselves diligently to the task of understanding our calling and taking it up with focus and diligence in every situation of our lives.

To which good works, that bear witness to Him, is our heavenly Father calling you this day?

Psalm 15.1, 2 (Arlington: “This Is the Day the Lord Has Made”)
Lord, who may dwell within Your tent, or on Your holy hill?
All those who keep Your covenant and walk within Your will.

All they who with integrity work peace and righteousness,
Forever in God’s house shall be forgiven, kept, and blessed.

Teach me to know You, Lord, as I see You at work in creation and hear You speaking in Your Word. Adapted from Columbanus, Sermon I

Reading the book of creation
It really is possible to “read” creation as Volume 2 in the series, “Divine Revelation” (Volume 1, of course is The Bible). But we’ll need to learn the disciplines that go with this if we want to gain the benefit God has for us through His Word in creation. My book, Consider the Lilies, is an introduction to the discipline of creational theology, which is the discipline we use to discover the glory God is revealing in His creation. You can order a copy for yourself from our online story by clicking here.

And just a reminder for your pursuit of good works: We offer daily commentary on the Law of God in our In the Gates column, and if you aren’t reading this regularly, let me encourage you to begin doing so.

As you (in the U. S., at least) prepare for the Thanksgiving season, we hope you are thankful for our ministry to you. If so, may I encourage you to raise your voice in thanks to God for The Fellowship of Ailbe, and to seek Him concerning whether you should support this work with your financial gifts? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

We’re thankful for you, and pray that the Lord will use you this day to further His Kingdom through good works of love.

T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.