Saved to good works

We all know that we're saved by grace, through faith, not by works, but do you ever stop to think about exactly what that means? The very next verse tells us that we are created in Christ for good works, which God prepared ahead of time that we should walk in them.

This means that works are still very important. As Christians, we don't get to slack off, and we certainly don't get to sin. Rather, it is vital that, as we are saved, we should act saved. We should do good, knowing that God has actually given us a very specific set of tasks. The good we do, God both knew about and ordained before we did it. In fact, in His sovereignty, He orchestrated every moment of our lives in order to present the opportunities we have to do good.

Good works are actually part and parcel of our salvation. What we are saved from isn't just the consequences of our sin (though thank God, that is a part of it), but also from a life of unfulfillment. All the works of the wicked will be completely forgotten. The good and the bad will perish with them. But for us, even a cup of water given in His name will be remembered. Is this not encouraging? Through Jesus, our very purpose can be fulfilled. We can be of great use to God where once we were less valuable than a failed selfie.