You Didn't Build That!

Our current president, in an unscripted moment on the campaign trail a few years ago, dealt himself a minor setback by telling a small business owner, "You didn't build that!"  (It is obvious that President Obama has never owned a small business or built anything of virtue, for that matter.  But, I digress.)

I thought of this bit of recent U.S. History when meditating on today's verses --- Ephesians 2:8-10.

8For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

These are some of the most famous verses quoted by Protestant Christians, and for good reason. Within these three short verses, we see the following themes presented:  redemption, mercy, grace, sanctification, election.  Such a power-packed passage!

In these three short verses, Paul explains the relationship of our "good works" to our salvation.

1.  You didn't build that!
There was once a young man of high position who was told whom he would marry.  The designated bride was "suitable".  In order to do what was "right" and to please others, he followed through with the marriage.  He remained faithful to his wife over the years, coming to feel kindly toward her, although their love was a facade.  He also worked diligently to please her and to provide her with everything she could ever want in the hopes that it would be "enough".  And, as the years rolled on, he became a "success" in the eyes of others, often boasting of what he had done, even though his heart was empty.
Many people approach God this way.
Because of family upbringing or societal expectations, they "do what is expected".  They attend church somewhat regularly.  They slog through their church's requirements/regulations.  They behave in a moral way toward others.  They do everything they know to do to please God, in the hopes that He will be accept them ... yet their hearts are not in it.  They become successful in the eyes of those who surround them, but their souls are hungry for more.
The reason this approach is unfulfilling and often frustrating is because it is not what God intended. It's an approach in which the cart is pulling the horses, a strategy in which folks try to "build" their own salvation.
Paul tells us, by the inspiration of God's own Spirit, that only HE saves by gifting us with salvation. All we need to do is to ask for it, and it is ours!  The simplicity of this truth is stupefying to those who are weary from "working" to earn God's favor.  It can't be earned!  It can only be received; this receiving is our faith response.  We exercise saving faith when we receive what He has already accomplished.
He paid a debt He did not owe so that we could receive a salvation we did not earn.

2.  He built (and builds) us.
When we receive the salvation that God gives, that is, when His Spirit comes to live inside us and possesses us, we are forever made right with God ("justified") and simultaneously "set apart" - - (sanctified) - - to serve Him.  But, that "work", that service, is not to earn any extra favor with God!  I saw a meme on Twitter this morning which said it well..."Nothing you do today can make God love you any more and nothing you do can make Him love you less." 
Staggering, isn't it?
But, as our love grows, in response to His perfect love, "good works" billow out of us!  We then want to serve, to give witness, to love....as Jesus loved us.  We eagerly sign on to His mission as we live out our days!  This is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our spirits, our souls, our lives.
"We are His workmanship..."  The Message version says it like this:

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Yes, HE built that...and it is glorious!  Praise His name forever!

Father God, I often get frustrated in my love offerings to You and sometimes think....if I were trying to earn my salvation by accumulating "good works", I'd be so busted.  There is absolutely no way .... But, because You did the saving, and because it is eternal, I can rest and trust in that certainty.  I love the joy those truths produce in my heart.  Such joy enables me to revel in the work of Your Holy Spirit .... to walk resplendent!  Thank you, thank you, LORD!  In Jesus' name, amen.