The Dichotomy of Good Works
Within Christianity is this seemingly paradoxical view of good works. Are they necessary? Before answering that question we first have to look at the “why”.
A popular passage in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is found in chapter 2, verses 8 & 9.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Paul summarizes that it is by God’s grace that we are saved. The mechanism God uses to do so is that of faith, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:9, Rom 12:3). And the reason for this is so that no one can boast.
But a lesser known passage is in verse 10.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We are His workmanship… the word used there for “workmanship” is the Greek word “poiēma” from which we get our word “poem”. Our lives are a poem with God as the author.
We are created, or rather God has authored this poem in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works. And this has been the plan from the beginning.
We need to ponder that for a second. If that’s true then the fall of man did not catch God by surprise. Nor was the redemption of man an afterthought. God has always been determined to write a poem of weakest and lowliest materials. A poem that ebbs and flows, with sacrifice and success, hardship and redemption, tragedy and peace.
But if our lives are a poem and God is the author, who is this poem written to? Who are the readers of this epic saga?
In Ephesians 3 Paul continues to tell the church at Ephesus of the mysteries of God. How that the Old Testament prophets prophesied about a people (the gentiles) being brought into fellowship with God and how this mystery was clouded and unknown to them at the time, but has now been fulfilled in their time.
He goes on to explain why this was done.
Ephesians 3:10-11 (NKJV) 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly [places,] 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
So that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known… that word “manifold” is the Greek word “polypoikilos” and it literally means “multifaceted”. We’ll come back to that…
Who was this manifold wisdom of God to be made known to? To the principalities and powers in heavenly places… the angelic beings.
So our lives are a poem that God is authoring, with highs and lows, that are intended to glorify God’s multifaceted wisdom to the angels that looking down upon us. They are watching the greatest epic ever told, as it unfolds, and saying “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty” (Rev 4:8). They are cheering in heaven when God draws a sinner to repentance (Lk 15:7).
What are the implications of this? Well first, is that this story is not about us. We are the media on which God is telling this story. This is where the manifold, or multifaceted, wisdom comes in. You see God’s plan has always been to glorify His name in this plan. In doing so He accomplishes multiple facets at once. He redeems mankind from the fall. He reconciles man to Himself. He sanctifies man through a process trials and tribulations, pruning man of that which doesn’t bear fruit and cultivating man that he might bear more fruit for God’s glory. He shows grace and justice, mercy and judgement, all without compromise or contradiction. And these are just a few of the facets that are accomplished in a single act, the death of His Son on the cross.
So how does this perspective affect how we see good works?
Because if we are not the center of this story, and if our lives are being written by a sovereign God with such incredible wisdom that He can accomplish so much, with so little. And if this story is being displayed before the angels for His glory, then the good works we do are a response to Him and to the angelic beings. It is our praise to Him. Our way of glorifying… (that word glorify literally means to shine a light upon or to point others towards) God.
Think about that for a second and the implications it has on works. Hypocrisy is that much more abhorrent because it seeks glory for ourselves, before men, in full view of the angels, making a mockery of God and His wisdom. Deeds of righteousness done in the flesh or out of a sense of obligation have very much the same effect. But works done out of love (toward God and men), willfully denying one’s self in retribution, forgiving one another, enduring hardship and persecution, all take on a new meaning when we understand that our lives are a poem written by a sovereign God and are on display before the angels for God’s glory. How much easier it is to endure hardship when we know the angels are praising God for our response. How much easier it is to not respond to a harsh word or accusation when we know that God will be praised.
We were created in Christ Jesus for good works. But not for ourselves. We were written into the greatest poem ever penned for His glory to a heavenly audience that will never cease to be amazed and rejoice that such a God could do so much with so little.
Comentários