In many of my blog posts over the last several months I've been written about waiting on God.   One of the ministers at my church, in our weekly Bible Study, gave us the 7 “Cs” for waiting on God.  They are to wait continuously,  courageously,  consistently,  confidently,  calmly,  concentratedly, communicatively.  And then I read Psalm 46 and verses 10 and 11 really resonated with me.

Psalm 46:10-11 (NKJV)10  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!11  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

I believe that what the Holy Spirit was saying to me is that while we wait for God we should also  be still.

What does it mean to be still while waiting for God?

The dictionary defines still as not moving of making a sound; deep silence and calm 

Using this definition to "be still"  can mean "not moving", and "being quiet".  

However, from a biblical perspective, to "be still" takes on much greater meaning.

The word "still" is a translation of the Hebrew word rapa, meaning “to slacken, let down, or cease.”,  to let go, surrender. In some instances, the word carries the idea of “to drop, be weak, or faint.” It connotes two people fighting until someone separates them and makes them drop their weapons.

To be still means to stop frantic activity.  The meaning would be best understood to say “cause yourself to become restrained or to let go. For Christians  being “still” would involve looking to the Lord for their help. In other words, we need to come to a place where we are willing to submit ourselves to God and acknowledge that He is in sovereign control.

Exodus 14:13 (NKJV)13  And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

This command—“be still”—forces us to realize that we are finite, and that God is infinite, that He’s in control, He’s sovereign over our lives, He’s Lord of heaven and earth.

Romans 14:11 (NKJV) For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."

Being still doesn’t mean that there won't be trouble.   It is remembering that He promised to never leave or forsake us.  

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)  Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Romans 15:4 (NKJV) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
We can be still in our waiting because of what the end of Psalms 46:10 says; “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  The word exalted means being lifted up or honored.  The next verse says that we can be still because God is our refuge.  

Psalm 46:11 (NKJV)  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

That means that God is our shelter from danger or trouble.

Jesus told the multitudes;

Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)28  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
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 Be Still And Know That He Is God

Knowing God means we recognize, acknowledge, and obey Him.  We must recognize and acknowledge that He is the One who created all things.  

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

• We can know Him by having an intimate personal relationship with Him. That relationship begins with Jesus and accepting Him as Savior and Lord.

John 14:6 (NKJV)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

• We can know Him by His Word the Bible.  

Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)1  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.3  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Nehemiah 8:8 (NKJV)  So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  

• We know Him with the aid of the Holy Spirit who  guides and comforts us.

John 14:26 (NKJV)  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
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What Happens When We Are Still?
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• We are free from outside noise or turbulence

We are able to hear the still small voice of God's Spirit as he comes to comfort and guide us through our trials. Worry can drown out God’s voice. When we are still we are able to hear God and learn to change our thoughts from negative to positive.

1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV)11  Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;12  and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

• We are calm

​Being calm doesn’t mean that there is no trouble around you,  Being calm means that the pressures of trouble are not in you.  Troubles may happening but they don’t affect you because God is your refuge and He has promised that if you seek His kingdom first He’ll handle everything else.  You no longer fear because you know that God loves you and you are calm.

Matthew 6:25-32 (NKJV)25  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?26  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?28  So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;29  and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?31  Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'32  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

1 John 4:17-19 (NKJV)17  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.19  We love Him because He first loved us.

• We are silent  

When trouble comes we often get angry with God and complain.  When we are still we don’t complain we praise.  When we are still we don’t complain we cast our burdens on the Lord and wait on Him.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)16  Rejoice always,17  pray without ceasing,18  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Peter 5:6-8 (NKJV)6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,7  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)28  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

• We are at peace

When troubles come we are unfazed because of our faith in God, and we are at peace. This peace is not just a psychological state of mind; this peace is spiritual peace…the peace of the God of all Creation.   This is the peace of people whose sins are forgiven

Romans 5:1 (NKJV)1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

This  peace guards you from anxiety, fear, and worry.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 (NKJV)  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

• We are free of interruption or disturbance

We can learn to be still as we pray, read scripture, go for a walk, meditate or give ourselves time free from interruption or disturbance. This not only allows us to communicate with our Heavenly Father, it allows our Him to communicate with us.  I often hear from God on the long walks I try to take every week.  It’s during these walks that the Holy Spirit gives me blog topics, Bible Study topics, and sermons.  It’s also during these times that He give me guidance for tough decisions that I need to make.  

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

John 14:26 (NKJV)26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

• We rest

Often the busyness of life makes it impossible for us to truly hear what God is trying to tell us. It is when we slow down and allow ourselves the opportunity to rest that our mind and heart can focus on those things that are of the greatest importance. God wants to talk to us, but we have to be ready and available to listen.

Psalm 39:6 (NKJV)6  Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.

All of this busyness is just moving shadows and ends in nothing.  Look what Solomon, the world’s wisest man said;

Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 (NLT)18  I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned.19  And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless!20  So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.21  Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy.22  So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?23  Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

We are always rushing from one thing to another one deadline after another, with a big to-do list, and everything has to get done today.    When we are operating at an unrealistic pace we have no intimacy in our relationship with God because we don't spend time with Him.  We are not being still.
To really know what God wants for us, what He has done for us, and what He wants us to do, we have to slow down.   We have to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word.
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Be Still And Wait

When our mind and spirit are still, our whole body is at peace. We are able to see things with a clear mind, feel things with a pure heart and hear the voice of God with ears that are open and in tune with His spirit.

“Be still and know that I am God,” is not just a saying, it is a state of being. It is the ability to know God well enough to trust in his abilities to rescue you. As we learn to be still and trust in God, we come to know and understand that we are God’s children. We are never alone, and never forgotten. All it takes is for us to be still.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)  You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

When you aren't seeing any answers, it doesn't mean that God is not working. He's still actively involved in your life, but He works in ways that are not always visible He orchestrates circumstances, changes people's hearts, and protects His children from making hasty decisions that will have disastrous consequences. Perhaps the Lord knows you're not yet ready for the next leg of your spiritual journey. Waiting times are opportunities for growth in character, obedience, and faith.

When you intentionally choose to be still, God unleashes His mighty power on your behalf. He has planned good things for those who wait, and I believe what He has in store for your life will surpass all expectations. When He knows you're ready to receive His blessings, they'll flow into your lap.

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After a stirring message, an impassioned plea on television or radio, a conversation with a close friend or relative, or at the urging of a counselor during a time of great distress many people are led in what has come to be know as the “Sinner’s Prayer” for salvation. In that prayer we acknowledge our sinful state and the fact that we need a Savior or we will live in eternal torment separated from God. We are told that if we confess it we will be saved.

Romans 10:8-11 (NKJV)8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

All Christians (believers) prayed this or a similar prayer at the time of their confession and salvation. I wrote a post two years ago titled “Saving Faith” and I included what many call the “Sinners Prayer”

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”

We prayed it in answer to an “alter call” or raising our hands in response to a preacher’s urging us to pray, or we signed a card, or we prayed with somebody on the phone after we dialed in to a Christian radio or television broadcast, or even alone in our home. We were told after praying that prayer that we were now saved and justified by God and a subject of His kingdom, a child of God, and that we now have eternal life. All of that is true if the prayer was made in “saving” faith.

We hear so much about the “Sinner’s Prayer” and have heard it so much, even led others in it, that it’s easy to see why some people believe that it is in the Bible. No, there is no Sinner’s Prayer in the Bible. There is no example in scripture for a “Sinner’s Prayer”, and there’s no specific formula for a "Sinner’s Prayer". For that matter there’s no mention of an alter call or “every head bowed, every eye closed” either. The use of a Sinner’s Prayer may have originated in the 19th Century and make popular for evangelists who spoke at large meetings revival meetings.

Having said these things there is nothing bad about or evil with a Sinner’s Prayer. It is biblical for a sinner to pray to Jesus to forgive him of his sins. It is not biblical to say someone is saved "because of reciting the Sinner's Prayer". It is biblical to confess one's sins and ask for forgiveness and put trust, hope, and faith in Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.

Many people have truly been saved along with saying the Sinner's Prayer. However many Christians make the unbiblical mistake of giving the person praying the Sinner’s Prayer a false sense of assurance of salvation because they simply said the words.

But beware, it is not biblical to give someone assurance of salvation based on reciting a prayer - on simply saying the words. “Saving faith is believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, a living person, for the forgiveness of sin and trusting Him because He provides eternal life with God. It isn’t enough to simply believe in the actions of Jesus Christ or the abilities of God. True saving faith is more than that; it is a personal relationship with the Savior. As a result, we desire to repent and to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him. He will then transform us and conform us to His image. As we walk with God, the more He will bless each of us with perfect assurance regarding our salvation and our relationship with Him. (InTouch Ministries)

Can God use the Sinner’s Prayer in His sovereign work of salvation? Of course. But we need to be careful and not urge someone to recite a prayer and have them put their hope in that alone to be saved. Walking an aisle in response to the emotional and caring invitation of a pastor does not save anyone. Writing the date in the back of one's Bible to commemorate the day a decision was made to follow Jesus does not save anyone. And praying does not save anyone. There are no "magical" words that result in salvation. It is only faith in Jesus' death burial and resurrection that can save us.

Choosing To Believe

Praying a prayer like the "sinners prayer" is important because in it we confess our sins, and our belief that Jesus died on our behalf for our forgiveness, and we acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior.  What is most important however is that praying the prayer is a choice.  When we pray we are showing that we are choosing to believe and accept God's undeserved gift of salvation (grace).  

Dr. Charles Stanley in one of his Daily Devotions of InTouch Ministries goes into some depth of that choice.  Here's part of that devotion;

A clear understanding of the gospel is essential for a person to believe and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was the only sacrifice required to remove our sins. God offers His grace as a gift to anyone who will receive it.

A definite decision at a particular point in time serves as a sort of landmark of the heart and mind. People do not just slip into Christianity; faith in Jesus must be chosen. Believers are those who have made a deliberate decision to trust the Lord and follow in His ways.

A blessed assurance follows the clear-cut decision so that believers can be certain of their salvation. God wants confident, assured children.

1 John 5:13 (NKJV)  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 


A visible symbol of what happens when someone receives the Savior--namely, baptism--illustrates dying to one's old ways and rising to new life in Christ Jesus. Believers are to take this step as a public way of identifying with Him.

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

A man or woman of faith chooses to surrender to Christ, embraces the Word of God, and lives fully for the Lord. True believers no longer muddle through the practices of religion out of habit, but instead worship and rejoice in a vibrant personal relationship with the Lord. (Emphasis and Scriptures inserted by me)

Don't get discouraged in your ministry. You may never know the impact that it has on others....you may never know but God knows.

As those of you who read my blogs know I write three of them; this one, Faith The Evidence - Bible Studies, What The Bible Teaches Us About Faith, and I maintain this website. It's a lot of work and I sometimes wonder if anybody other than me is getting blessed. I've even thought at times of not spending as much time writing, and every now and then I've thought about stopping altogether. Then God, as He often does let's me know that, even if I never see it, what I do for Him is never in vain.

Today I got a comment on one of my recent blog posts, ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE WORD OF GOD WHEN YOU THINK HE'S ABANDONED YOU. The commrnt reminded me why I do what I do. When I read it I was reminded of something my pastor says every Sunday and what the writer of Hebrews said;

Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV) For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

I want to share that comment with you because it blessed and encouraged me, and I believe it will bless and encourage you, especially if you've every become discouraged in your ministry because it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. You're not seeing people being saved or delivered and you start to question yourself and even God. Then al, of a sudden God sends you a reminder

Here's the comment:

"Your post is an awesome sign of the presence of God always with us. A week ago Friday I was let go from my job. I have continued to trust Gods plans, pray, start and continue my day with Him and listening to His instructions. Every day I read Jeremiah 29. The days after I got let go, numerous people referenced or instructed me to read this. Me reading this post today is no coincidence. I know he has a plan for me. Thank you for your post."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

When you start to get discouraged in your ministry first remember that it's not about you anyway it's all about God. Secondly remember that you may never know who or how you impact people when you are doing what God called and equipped you do. Thirdly He'll always let you know that He won't forget. Keep working don't stop, don't ever stop. Like Paul;

Phillippians 2:16 (NLT) Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Luke 6:36 (NKJV)   Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Two years ago I wrote a post, "The Bible Says That Forgiveness Is Mandatory", in it I wrote; "The Bible does, in many places, command us to forgive each other. Here are two examples: 

• Matthew 6:14 (HCSB) “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 
• Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB) And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Jesus’ comment to Peter when he asked how many times we should forgive implies constant forgiveness without holding it against the one we forgive. 

Matthew 18:21-22 (HCSB) 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus said to him, “but 70 times seven.

The Bible also tells us that if we don’t forgive we won’t be forgiven.

• Matthew 6:14-15 (HCSB) 14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. 
• Mark 11:25-26 (HCSB) 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. [ 26 But if you don’t forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your wrongdoing.]” A forgiving spirit is made easier for Christians when they consider how much God has already forgiven. 

I also wrote that "It may be very difficult but God wants us to forgive each other every time just like He has forgiven us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross."

Today I read a devotional that is the perfect compliment to that post, especially when it comes to forgiving those who it is most difficult to forgive; those who have hurt us so deep we never thought we would get over it; those closest to us; those that we feel are unforgivable.  

I'm sharing the entire devotion written by by Lysa TerKeurst 

Have you ever struggled to choose forgiveness over bitterness in the midst of feeling rejected, abandoned, or hurt? Maybe you’re there right now as you prepare to spend time with friends and family over the holidays. Deep hurts from loved ones can feel so very raw and unresolved in the midst of a season that’s supposed to be full of joy and gratefulness.

Let me be the friend who takes you by the hand to say... I understand. Choosing to forgive is hard, especially when it feels like you or someone you care for has been treated unfairly.

But the truth is, it’s good (and biblical) for us to extend forgiveness. And when we release the offense into the hands of God, we can begin to make room for healing in our hearts.

Here are 3 things to remember when forgiving others is the last thing we want to do:
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1.  Forgiveness doesn’t justify them, it frees YOU!

Forgiving someone is making the decision to choose mercy and grace over bitterness and resentment. To love God is to cooperate with His grace. Luke 6:36 says,

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Since I’m so very aware of my own need for grace, I must be willing to freely give it away, too.

Each hole left from rejection must become an opportunity to create more and more space for grace in my heart. Forgiveness doesn’t validate them, and it doesn’t justify their hurtful actions.

Giving grace helps me. It sets me free.

What does giving grace look like in my life?

...do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. — Luke 6:27b–Luke 6:28


2.  Today I will:

Speak with honor in the midst of being dishonored.

Speak with peace in the midst of being threatened.

Speak of good things in the midst of a bad situation.

We have an enemy, but it’s not each other.

Truth proclaimed and lived out is a fiercely accurate weapon against evil.

3.  How I feel:

I very much feel like my struggle is against them.

I have been deeply hurt by this struggle.

It’s hard to see that my struggle isn’t with them or caused by them.

However, truth tells me something different. Truth says I have an enemy... but it’s not the person I’m trying hard to forgive. They may very well be the cause of some hurt in my life, but they’re not my enemy.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. — Ephesians 6:12

Point your crosshairs at the real enemy and start firing off positive statements about this person who has caused pain in your life. List three things about them that are good. Then remember a fourth and fifth. Picture each of these positive statements wounding the devil and shaming him away from you.

Forgiveness releases an offense into the hands of God so that you can heal.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean I’ll get my storybook ending. But it will bring peace and honor to a situation that would otherwise leave me bitter, defensive, and hurting. I have to trust God to get me through this forgiveness journey so that I can finally heal.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. — Isaiah 26:3

Lift up your hurt and honest feelings to the Lord through prayer, whether it’s written or verbal. Here’s one to get you started:

Lord, I don’t know all the details entangled in this issue. But You know all. Therefore, You are the only one who can handle all. There are a lot of things my flesh is tempted to seek — fairness, my right to be right, proof of their wrongdoing, to make them see things from my vantage point — but at this point, the only thing healthy for me to seek is You. You alone. I’m going to be obedient to You and let You handle everything else. In Your Name, Amen.

~by Lysa TerKeurst for Devotionals Daily featuring Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely, copyright TerKeurst Foundation.

God designed you to be a good works machine.  The good works in the design were not for salvation, but because of salvation. (FAITH/WORKS)   

Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

"That salvation not of yourselves. … The Holy Spirit has been very careful to guard this precious doctrine of salvation by grace against all forms of heresy. Works in the Scripture are the product or fruit of salvation, not the cause of it. Lest any man should boast. There will be no boasting in heaven because there will be no one there who has anything to boast about.  We are his workmanship. The his is emphatic in the original. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works. It is the purpose of our new creation that we should walk. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

The Greek word “poiēma”, translated “workmanship,” occurs in only one other place in the New Testament, where it is translated, “things that are made.”

Romans 1:20 (KJV)20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Here the reference is to the original creation.  Just as God created the universe, at salvation, He brings about a new creation.  

​2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This new creature is made for good works.  

What are these good works?

The Bible tells us that you can tell what this new creation is like by their good works (fruit).

Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Titus 1:16 (KJV) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Jesus, in Matthew and Paul, in Titus, were talking about false teachers and those who were follow them. If you can recognize them by their works or actions then the opposite would be true as well. Those who know God will be known by their works too. In their case those works would be good works.

Salvation is by grace and entirely of God, so are the good works that follow salvation. Just as we cannot claim any glory for ourselves in our salvation, we can’t claim any glory in our good works.

Charles Spurgeon summarizes these good works a, works of obedience, works of love, works of faith, and acts of common life (Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit [Pilgrim Publications], 31:152-153). By works of obedience, he means obeying the commands of Scripture. Works of love includes both love for God and love for our fellow man, with an eye to God’s glory. Works of faith refers to all that we do in reliance upon God and His promises. By acts of common life he meant whatever we do at home, at work, traveling, or on a sick bed, that we do all to the glory of God. In other words, the entire bent of our lives after we have been saved by God’s grace should be lived with a God-ward focus, to please Him. - FROM THE SERIES: EPHESIANS Lesson 15: Salvation and Good Works (Ephesians 2:10) by Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2007, All Rights Reserved.
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Most of us think these good works are: attending worship services, praying regularly, studying Scripture, giving generously from our financial resources, joining a small group, going on mission trips, caring for the poor, working for justice for the oppressed, loving our neighbors, etc. These are certainly among the good works that God has prepared for us, but if we stop with them I think we miss the entirety of what God has prepared for us as He includes us in His desire that all men be saved. The works that I listed are not just religious activities but a lifestyle.

My opening scripture says that we should walk in the good works that God has prepared for us. This means that we don’t just do them in our spare time. Walking in good works means that this is what we do every day and in every situation. This means that your good works can include that which you do at work, in the classroom, on the football field, in your neighborhood, and in your community associations. If you're a boss, part of your good works involve the way you manage your employees. If you're a parent, your good works include making dinner for your children as well as praying with them as you tuck them into bed. The more we grow in our faith, the more we see ourselves as God's masterpieces, the more we will indeed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, by his strength, under his authority, and for his purposes.

Colossians 3:23-24 (KJV)23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

We are His workmanship. God knows everything about us… every detail of our lives. He formed every part of us and planned every day of our lives before we were born.

Psalm 139:16-18 (NLT)16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

PRAYER: Gracious God, I find the perspective of this passage exciting, compelling, and counterintuitive. My culture and even much of my Christian experience have taught me to divide my life into the "stuff for you" and "all the other stuff." I am learning to think more truly and inclusively, to see my whole life as an offering to you.

Help me, Lord, to walk in the good works you have in store for me. Help me to be open to all that you would have me do. Teach me to see my whole life as you see it. By your Spirit, may I come to see every moment of every day as an occasion to do good works—including good work—for you. Amen. - From What Are the Good Works God Has Prepared for Us? Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling

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