September 23

God joins people from every nation together with Israel’s people, and he makes them into his (God’s) own people. We must not imagine that God will save (rescue) us as a reward for our good works. We cannot force God to establish a right relationship with us because of our wealth or our family history (Romans 2:11). God’s character never changes. Nobody will ever persuade him to do something that he considers wrong (James 1:17).

So, Paul explains to us why God acts in people’s lives to give them a right relationship with him. Paul gives three reasons: Read more

Isaiah 41:17-43:13
Ephesians 2:1-22
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 23:29-35

Read Today’s Scripture – Click Here

Click on the Play Button below to Listen to Today’s Scripture

New Testament: Ephesians 2:1-22

Summary: By Grace Through Faith, One in Christ

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

How can we do what is good?

Ephesians 2:10

We think about an artist, and how he uses his great skill to make a beautiful object (Exodus 31:1-11). God shows greater skill than any artist as he works in the lives of his people. By the death of Christ, he has changed their lives completely (2 Corinthians 5:17). By the power of his Holy Spirit, he continues to work in their lives. God wants their lives to achieve what is truly good (Mark 4:1-20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Perhaps we tried hard to do good things with our lives before we became Christians. However, we had a very serious problem (Ecclesiastes 2:10-14). We were simply too weak always to do good things (Romans 7:18-21). The natural desires of our bodies were constantly tempting us to do wrong things. Every kind of evil act is the result when people simply follow the desires of their minds and bodies (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 2:3).

When we invite Christ into our lives, God changes us completely. We still have our natural desires, of course, but now God’s Holy Spirit is present in our lives (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit makes us free (Romans 8:2); so now we can do those things that please God. So, the Holy Spirit causes God’s people to live in the way that is good, right, and truly beautiful (see Galatians 5:22-23). Because of God’s work in their lives, God’s people can be kind and gentle, loyal and patient. They can show true love (1 Corinthians chapter 13) to other people. God fills their hearts with joy.

God does these wonderful things for his people, not just for their own benefit, but so that they can serve him. He wants them to do the work that he has prepared for them. He wants them to help other people and to show his love to those people. It brings great joy to Christians to see how God is using their lives to help other people. From: usefulbible.com – by Keith Simons