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]
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
Why have we been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ? Is it just so we’ll get to heaven some day? Or enjoy being part of a busy, active, and happy church?
Of course, we rejoice in the gift of eternal life, and we long for every believer to be part of a healthy, growing church. But going to heaven is not the whole story of why the Lord has saved and left us here for now. Nor is being part of a good church. We also have been created in Christ Jesus for good works.
Why did He die and rise again, forgiving our sins and granting us the gift of life? Our lives have been hidden with Him in God (Col. 3.3); in Him we 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 good works refract the reality of our good God into the watching world. It’s by our good works that the goodness of God comes to light in the land of the living (Ps. 27.13). 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 do good works that we “may not be unfruitful” (Tit. 3.14). We have been sent into the world like Jesus was sent (Jn. 20.21), and a large part of His earthly sojourn was involved in doing good works.
Clearly, if we’re not preparing for, thinking about, planning and seeking opportunities for, and daily performing good works, we’re missing a primary part of what it means to be saved.
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 (Jn. 13.1-15; 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, loving the unlovely and unlovable, 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 as members of His Body.
Second, we can learn which works are good by meditating on the Law of God, and thinking through its application to our everyday lives. Here we find the good works that God “prepared beforehand” for us (Eph. 2.10). The Law is holy and righteous and good(Rom. 7.12); we should expect, therefore, that it can guide us in those good works that express love for God and our neighbors.
Finally, as Eriugena explained, we may discern what is good by studying the creation itself. Though the creation has been affected by the fall, still, there is enough of the original goodness of God in creation to discern what God expects of us (Gen. 1.31). We may discover in the creation examples of beauty, efficiency, community, cooperation, and practical wisdom, as Solomon shows us throughout the book of Proverbs. We may expect the study and contemplation of creation to suggest many ways that we, too, might refract the goodness of God in our daily lives.
We have been created for good works, and those good works will differ from the dead and self-centered 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 our Personal Mission Field.
Prepare each day for good works (Ps. 90.12, 16, 17). Study the Word, reflecting on the day ahead as you do. Wait on the Lord, seeking from Him guidance for specific situations and people. Make a note of His special guidance, and carry it with you as you go out into your Personal Mission Field. Let the goodness the Lord reveals all around you in creation remind you of the ways you can do good to others.
Be ready, zealous, and careful for good works, and you will know the power of Christ at work in you.
For Reflection
1. What can you do, first thing each day, to make sure your mind is set on doing good throughout the day?
2. We’re not saved by good works; but we’re not saved without them. Explain.
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.
Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Good works of God’s Law
Learning God’s Law can be a bit daunting, but our booklet, A Kingdom Catechism, can help. Here are all the commandments and statutes of God arranged in a question-and-answer format for study and remembrance. Learn more and order your copy by clicking here.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? 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 Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
T. M. Moore
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.
[1] Bamford, p. 89.
