“Not by Works, but For Works”
Ephesians 2: 1-10
John 3:14-21

There is a story about the running of an ancient Greek marathon. One athlete seemed the certain winner of the games, and some of the other contestants offered bribes to him in hopes of persuading him to withdraw from the field.
In spite of proffered gifts of considerable worth, the athlete stood his ground and made clear his intention of competing. To no one’s surprise, at the starting signal the runner took an immediate lead and finished the race well ahead of the rest. For his victory, he received the traditional crown of laurel leaves and was invited to join the King for the remainder of the games.
Afterward someone reproached the athlete for his decision. “You could be a man of wealth, right now, but instead you have nothing more than a soon to be withered crown of leaves for your efforts. Was that a wise decision?”
The runner smiled and said, “I didn’t run for the crown, I ran the race with all my might so that I might have the privilege of standing beside my king.”
If we are truly in love with our Lord and the faith we espouse, we can have no higher reward for our labors than to kneel at the throne of our God and offer him the best efforts of our heart, soul, body and mind. (Deut.6:5)

I). In the Epistle that we have shared this morning, the Apostle Paul brings together the centrality of Grace as the source of our salvation and “good works” as the purpose of our salvation.
A). Many there are who continue with the common opinion that salvation is the beginning and the end of the matter. Like the simplistic syntax of the Beatles song: “All you need is Love,” many find their faith in solely “believing,” only attending weekly services. There is often divisiveness between those deeply routed in an evangelical approach and those who espouse a more liberal understanding of the Scriptures: The essence of faith is Christian effort; earning (working) your way into God’s grace. I believe, that as in all worthy discussions, that the truth is often found in the middle ground. Like the Apostle, I believe that Salvation is but the beginning of our endeavors.
Although we cannot save ourselves by “good works,” once we have made our commitment to our Lord, these good works are the natural fruit of our obedience and gratitude for what only God could do for us. Paul could not be more forceful when he states that we were “created in Christ Jesus for Good works.” (Eph. 2:10)
II). The point is worth emphasizing. According to our Scriptures where we catch a glimpse of God’s plan for us, the questions can be asked: what have we been give this “gift” of salvation/eternal life for? What are we raised to new life in faith for? For a free ride? For a pleasure cruise? For a padded pew? For merely comment? I submit to you it is more; It is for good works. For commitment.
A). In truth, people have many reasons for working. Some people work for a paycheck; some work because someone is watching; some work because they are afraid not to. I suppose that the answer to that question is as individual as you and me.
B). As people of faith, I would like to believe that all that we do is/should be reflected from the love of the Savior, and is translated from the need we see in this world; to the Glory of a living God. We do good works because God loves us; and, as we learn to love God increasingly, we want to give something back; we want to treat others with the same care and love that we have been shown. We want to live lives that please God!
III). Faith then, produces work. Faith believes that God can make something of our efforts. Indeed, Faith believes that we are here with a deliberate purpose.
A). Faith trusts that God can and will make our
work count for something greater than even our own efforts.
To sit in labor as a Log Cabin quilt is made from various pieces of material, to bring together the talents of skilled artisans in the creation of a house is individual effort. However, to use those completed projects to warm or house the needy is a blessing that brings glory to the Lord of our lives.
B). A basketball in my hands is worth about $20.00 dollars. Place that same ball in the hands of Michael Jordan’s hands is worth 20-30 million. A baseball in my hands might, on my best day, might yield a single; in the hands of Babe Ruth is produces homerun after homerun. A tennis racquet in my hands is worthless; put that racquet in the hands of Venus Williams, and it’s worth a championship. It’s not the tool that matters it’s the hand that holds it. Faith teaches us that if we can put our good works in God’s hands, those works will count for something. A further truth is that a person can accomplish much greater blessings if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit….if God receives the glory!
We then, can never hope to find our place with God by what we do; rather, God saves us, for good works. Those are the two truths we need to cling to as we walk this Lenten Road to Jerusalem with our Savior.