“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
What is the purpose of God in creating man? Was it that he should fall into sin, and rebellion against God, deprived of all that is truly good? No, but we do get a glimpse of His eternal purpose in the matter of redemption, when by a sovereign act of His will, He manifests Himself, His nature, goodness, righteousness, and love, in His creation, and primarily and supremely, in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus came not only into this world to give us a vision of who the Father was and is, but to communicate to us in the depths of our being the reality of His blessed Life, that Life by the Spirit. Thus, Christ is not only our vision of God, but the very essence of God, since He IS God. What then of His purpose for us?
Perhaps the greatest truth revealed to men since Pentecost was the fact that God the Father has by the Spirit placed the believing sinner into Christ, in living union with Him. Since nothing of the sinful nature, its works or actions, is acceptable to God, He has created a new man in Christ, one who lives by the faith of the Son of God, walking by the Spirit. He is a new man, the very workmanship of God, created to accomplish that perfect will of God, believing Him for all of His purposes to be accomplished in the life. How is this possible since the saved sinner still has a sinful nature? The answer lies in the revelation of God’s will, commitment to the believer, and the believer’s willingness to trust and obey Him. The believer, though he be saved, still has nothing to offer to God, in an of himself, depending upon his own resources. It is only in the measure that the believer receives by faith, according to the promises of God, that which God desires to give on a daily basis, that the purposes of God will be realized in an increasing measure. Called to abide in Christ, to derive all from Him who has become the believer’s life, God will reveal His will to the heart and mind of His child, strengthening him or her to believe Him for its realization. Herein is the great liberty that the child has, and which allows him to fulfill the will of God. He or she is freed from the pull, snare, and shackles of sin, by the “law of the Spirit of life,” receiving strength to rise up, go forth, trusting the Lord as his King, Captain, and Shepherd. The Lord’s promises are certain and absolute: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee;” “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.” That which God calls the believer to be and to do, He will accomplish in the heart and life. What then must the believer do to realize such a blessing, and assurance of the Father’s will?
The first thing is always worship, that act and attitude of attributing to God by word, thought, and deed, all that is true of Him as revealed in the Scriptures. Aloneness with God is essential if there would be that individual worship of God by the Spirit, and according to the truth. It is as the believer takes the truths of God as revealed in the Scriptures, and uses them in prayer, to praise and bless the Father, that the Father “rewards” His child with that consciousness of His presence, that certainty of communion. The second thing is that of listening, waiting upon God, living in expectation of His leading and calling. It is as the heart is receptive, open, and wholly responsive, that God delights to show the way, and meet every need. The Great Shepherd, Christ, will not hesitate to provide for His sheep the guidance and resources that he needs to be led forth, assured of the Lord’s keeping and provision.
Dear Father, Accomplish in us all of Thy purposes, keeping us abiding in, and deriving all from Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.