Ephesians 2:8-10 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.

 

Jesus dictated seven letters to John. Each one was to one of the seven churches in Asia at that time. As we study these letters, we find that God commended each church for what pleased Him and He scolded them for those things that angered Him. Through this study, we are getting a picture of what God wants to find in His Church today. If the goal is to please God, we need to know what pleases Him and what angers Him. That is the purpose of this study

 

Jesus’ letter to the Church in Thyatira is important to study because while Jesus was pleased with their works, they had a lot going on behind the scenes that was not good. The good works was a front for the evil backstage.

 

In a single sentence, Jesus praised them the work they were doing. I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. (Revelation 2:19) This Church was the beginning of the Catholic Church which remains a work-based religion to this day.

 

Jesus’ brother, James, wrote about the importance of doing good work. The 2nd Chapter of his Book speaks directly to this subject and several times he says, For as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26) Unfortunately, this is often misunderstood. No one is saved BECAUSE of their good works.

 

We are not saved BECAUSE we work. We work BECAUSE we are saved. Once someone is truly saved and born again, they will WANT to do the work God has created them to do. As the Apostle Paul wrote, 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. (Ephesians 2:8-10) If Christians could have a clear understanding of this one Passage of Scripture, the Church would take on an entirely different look.

 

Over the next few days, we will delve deeper into this subject because it is probably the single most misunderstood concept in all of Christianity.

 

God wants to……….turn the tide……….in our lives.

 

Thank you Lord,         Doreen

 

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