In this part 3, I’m delving straight into the topic of the Gift of Salvation and how this can bring us infinite hope in an uncertain world that looks hopeless and chaotic.
Let’s get straight to it…
Ephesians 2:8-10 says:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We cannot earn God’s grace or salvation. Salvation is God’s gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ—not something we achieve through our own efforts.
Of course, we feel better when we are being productive, and we will be rewarded for our faithful service, whatever form it takes, but those works don’t save us. They are the fruit of salvation, not the price of it.
There is something greater than employment as you can see, which doesn’t diminish the importance of being productive, earning a living and getting enjoyment and joy out of it. I certainly do!
The point, then, is that you are not valuable because the economy needs you. That is important for the way things are run in this world we live in.
BUT ultimately, you are valuable because God made you and Christ calls you.
Now I know some of you might be thinking “yeah but how does that pay the rent?”
I hear you, and as you can see, I’ve not said “don’t work”, I’ve said “see your value in more things than just work”.
So what other things could bring meaning to your life?
- Caring for family
- Serving others
- Creating – whether it be youtube videos, writing books, weaving, crocheting, painting (even if it’s paint by numbers if you know me!), praying for yourself and others, being an encouragement to others, and walking faithfully with God in the way He made you (in his image).
Following from this, Jesus gives us things to do, but more importantly he gives us a new identity in Him.
Let me say that again in a different way: Jesus does not merely give people something to do; He gives them a new identity.
If we abide in Him, he will lead us to bear fruit (John 15:4-5). This means that if we live with – and in- Him and let him work through us, we will be fruitful and find our true meaning and purpose in life.
As an example, everything I have done since my move to the UK has been given to him – my plane ticket, given to him. My private practice, given to him. My home, as a personal expression of prayer and dedication, has been blessed with oil and given to him as soon as we moved in. Even my cats have been anointed with oil (though they enjoyed licking it off my fingers more!) I can see the fruits in everything I’ve done since I’ve moved here.
I am not saying it’s all been easy – by all means it hasn’t, but looking back I can see the path that I started years ago and how every decision led to where I am today. I am excited and hopeful to see where I will be in a few months or even a few years time!
I love this clip from Indiana Jones – The Last Crusade. Leap of Faith is exactly how I’ve done things – most of the time. I am still human and might have “forgotten” that this has always been available to me.
For those feeling that “nothing matters” with this A.I. takeover and perhaps other things happening around us. I hope 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages you as you begin to understand that work done in the Lord is not empty, wasted, or meaningless, even when the world does not applaud it.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in The Lord.
