Today we continue our series entitled, “Grace and Truth” by continuing to look at by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Our main scriptures are John 1:14 & 17. Let’s look at them again.
(John 1:14 New International Version)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17 New International Version)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
In this series we studied Galatians 3, 4, and 5. We finally got to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are going through all the fruit of the Spirit. Today we will look at “a life full of virtue”. Other translations simply list this as “goodness”.
(Galatians 5:22,23 The Passion Translation)
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. You are predestined to specific good works. For this point I will reference Ephesians 2:10. Let’s look at this verse in two translations.
(Eph 2:10 Easy to Read Version)
God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.
(Eph 2:10 The Passion Translation)
We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
a) You have a preordained destiny. Your destiny is tailor-made just for you. Our text makes it clear that there are specific good works connected to your destiny. These are good works that God planned for you to do before the world began.
b) When you are led of the Holy Spirit, the God IN you will lead you to perform good works in this world. People see God in you by the work you perform. Jesus said that we would be known by our fruit (Mat 7:16). In other words, the fruit our lives produce should help identify us as children of God. Good works are part of that fruit.
c) We are not saved BY works. But we are saved FOR works. Once you are saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God will lead you to do things that are good in God eyes; actions that are pleasing in God’s sight.
d) The text says that even before you were born, God planned in advance to use you in a special way. Part of the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in your life is work, good work, work that advances God’s Kingdom. This is work you are preordained to perform. Therefore, you were predisposed to it. All your life God has been preparing you for this work. Don’t fight it. As you are led of God’s Spirit, you will be led to do things you were born to do, and you will enjoy it, because you have the grace for it. It may be work to others, but it won’t feel like work to you. Because it is part of your destiny. This is your purpose. It is your assignment.
2. When you perform the good works you were born to perform you bring glory to God in the earth. For this point I will reference Matthew 5:16. Let’s look at this verse in two translations.
(Matthew 5:16 New International Version)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16 Easy to Read Version)
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
a) Never be afraid to do what you were born to do. Never be ashamed of whom God called you to be.
b) When you walk in your divine purpose and you fulfill your divine assignment, you bring glory to God in the earth.
c) When you do the things you are called to do, you are allowing God’s LIGHT to shine through you, for all the world to see. To be clear, this may or may not have anything to do with church. You may be called to be a captain of Industry, a leader in business, a trend setter in finance, a trustworthy mechanic, a dedicated teacher, a public servant, a loving nurse, a kind doctor, or an honest lawyer.
When you do what you are called to do, you are doing the GOOD WORKS God planned in advance for you. As you do it, you bring glory to God and His name. You don’t have to be a Pastor or Missionary to glorify God. If you run a beauty salon and you are doing what God called you to do, or if you are a kindergarten teacher and you are walking in your purpose, you are no less anointed for your assignment than a Pastor, Evangelist or Missionary. You are doing what God called you to do. So as you do it, you bring glory to His name. This is YOUR good work. Do it with all your might. Do it as you are led of God’s Spirit. Do it as unto the Lord. Do it for HIS GLORY!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I was born for such a time as this. You sent me to this planet WHEN You did and WHERE You did, because of WHY YOU DID! I am not saved by works, but I am saved FOR good works and I declare, by faith, that I will FIND, FOLLOW and FINISH my purpose in life before I die. I will do what You birthed me to do. I will arrive at Your overall expected end for my life. I am going to heaven, but I am also going to ENJOY THE RIDE, because I am determined to fulfill my assignment. I work harder than most, and it is not even work to me, because it is what I was born to do. I have the grace for it. I enter this day ready to work and I will whistle while I work because I do what I do BY YOUR GRACE and FOR YOUR GLORY! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
