Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. It would be impossible to conceive words which could better express at once the dignity and the nothingness of all human "works." Their dignity, seeing that for their sake we are both made of God and re-made of Christ. Their nothingness — because both the "works" we do — and we ourselves who do them — are nothing but a piece of "workmanship" which God has formed and created. If any man think much of his "works," I say, "You are only a bit of mechanism, that God has trained to carry out His mind; to evolve those preplanned works." If any man think little of "works," I say, "It is for works that you were created and redeemed; and God has thought so much of those 'works' of yours, that He designed them before you were born; and you were brought into existence that you might do them." Look at that body of yours — so curiously framed together, and knit, and fitted for action. Look at that mind, so capable and so furnished. Look at that heart, with all its powers of sympathy and affection. Look at that soul, with all that has been done for it, and done in it. And then ask yourself — I do not say — "Is not all this 'prepared' for something, and something very great?" — but, "Must not there be something 'prepared' for it? Must not the 'preparation' be reciprocal? Must not that which is 'prepared' for this complicated and wonderful being of mine, be something worthy Of its structure and its composition? God makes nothing for waste. Surely, every evidence that I am 'prepared' for a work, is a proof that a work is 'prepared' for me." It would, of course, be a great question — concerning every particular work as it comes before you whether it is the work which God has" prepared" for you. To guide you into a decision in this matter, there should always be at least two vocations to every work: the inward vocation of your own conscience, and the outward vocation of Providence. And if to these two vocations there can be added the vocation of the Church, or of Christian friends, it would be more conclusive still. The three vocations very seldom mislead. Sanctified common sense is the true rule of life. And this brings me to one characteristic of all "prepared work." It never goes before God. He must open a door. He must soften a heart. He must give an impulse. For every "prepared work" has its limitations; and here is the line of the limitation — that God's footsteps must be there. But once receive anything you have to do — or equally, anything you have to suffer — as a "work" long ago "prepared" for you; and then see what a comfort, what an energy, what a power that one single thought will give! 1. In itself it is a token for good. It is a proof of love. Not only that God uses you at all, but that He has been at the pains to arrange long beforehand the exact thing which you are to do for Him. 2. You may be quite sure that any "work" which God hath "prepared" for you, will have a particular adaptation to your character, to your position, and to your strength. God never gives His work indiscriminately. To each his own. His "works" are not suited to everybody alike. You could not do mine; and I cannot do yours. 3. In the fact that the "work" — whatever it be — is God's own appointment for you, there is a sure warrant of success. He planned and constructed it before you touched it. What God begins, He always ends. I cannot tell you, in detail, each of you, what your "prepared work" is. This I know, "the prepared work" of every one is to believe; and then to live the faith he professes; to be happy, and then to make others happy; to glorify God. But I should sadly narrow my subject if I confined the "good works" which God has "prepared" for us to do, to this world. We are "created in Christ Jesus to good works" in heaven. For assuredly we shall "work" there. And a part of the work is this, that your work is rest. And the more we grow towards heaven, the more we approach to that — work is rest because we do it restfully. But, be sure of this, there will be "work" in heaven. More "prepared" than even the "work" which we are doing here. And for this reason, that all the "work" we are doing here is in itself "preparatory" to that "work." We are practising now that we may do it well by and by! (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. |
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