From here to heaven

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. — Ephesians 2:10                                 

Pro athletes and coaches sometimes get something for nothing. Let’s say a coach signs a 3-year contract, and the team agrees to pay him $1 million a year. But in his first season, the team is terrible and management fires him. So, the coach leaves but still has 2 more years of pay left coming to him. He gets the next $2 million without doing a thing.

We as Christians have to be careful that we don’t view our saving faith like that. We must never think, “Hey, I’m saved. I’ve got eternal riches coming my way. I don’t have to do anything for God.”

That’s partially right but very wrong. In one regard, our journey from here to heaven is paid for in full by Jesus’ sacrifice. There’s nothing we can do to earn salvation. But there’s another part of this that we must consider.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, after Paul clearly says that we do not have to “do” anything and that salvation is a “gift of God,” he goes on. Verse 10 says we indeed have a job to do. As believers, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” God has tasks planned for us to do while we are on the earth — not to pay our debt but to honor our Savior.

Life from here to heaven is not a vacation cruise — it’s a wonderful privilege and calling to serve God. — Dave Branon

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize

And sailed through bloody seas? — Watts                                                 

READ: Ephesians 2:1-10

We are not saved by good works but for good works.

The Bible in one year:

• 2 Kings 4-6

• Proverbs 21:11-21