Many are the sermons I have heard throughout my life as to how we are not saved by works. Very rarely do I hear a sermon on the importance of works.

Every Sunday school child memorizes Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” But verse 10 goes on to say: “For we are His worksmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Works do not save you. If you are doing “good deeds” to earn favor with God, that is worthless. However, Scripture is full of deeds that we are to do if we desire fellowship with Him. Christ did not die so that we could fulfill our own fleshly desires; He died so that we could have life, and that more abundantly through serving Him. The more God’s Spirit dwells inside of you, the more you will become like Him. This is how we are transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Do not be concerned with becoming “too righteous.” Instead, focus on becoming more like Christ. Sure, some won’t like it and will accuse you of trying to earn your salvation but nothing should be more important than pleasing your Heavenly Father.

“Yes, a man may say, ‘You have faith, and I have works:’ show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:18, 26).

Let’s purpose to do the work of Christ this week!