God’s love gives us the freedom to do good

What must I do to be saved? That was the question posed by a first century jailer when he was about to kill himself as he believed his prisoners had escaped. What must I do? It’s the concept that we have to “do something” in order to be right with God.

While it seems to make sense that we have to earn our way to God, it’s far from the truth of the Gospel. Before we look at the Gospel, let’s consider how the Apostle Paul answered that jailer’s question. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

Human logic may lead us to follow rules and regulations so God would approve of us. The truth of the Spirit-filled life is, we believe, repent of our sins, and walk by faith, that’s when we are accepted by the Lord. After we are saved, our desire will lead us to do things we know are pleasing to God. The Gospel that leads to eternal life, is found in a concise way in the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Salvation means we are justified (in right standing with God) and justification comes by the grace God demonstrated toward us when Jesus bore our sins on the cross. When our natural inclination is to do things so God will approve of us, reality is, we can never do enough, but Jesus did it all for us. So, there is no boasting or bragging about what we do, but there is a response of good works when receive the grace and love God poured out for us.

What are the good works we do after we are saved? Jesus gave us the example of servanthood, as he came not as one to be served but serving others even to the point dying for our sins. Then Jesus took all the law of God and summarized it into one concise commandment. When we walk in his commandment, we fulfill every other command found in scripture. What was Jesus’ command?

John 13:34-35 says; “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When we walk in Christ’s love not only are we doing the good works that God has for us, but we are also representing our Lord everywhere we go. When many believe religious people must follow a bunch of rules of what to do, what not to do, or even how to dress, the Gospel gives freedom. Freedom to do good works and freedom to love others because God first loved us.

Pastor Rich Lammay of High Sierra Fellowship is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers’ Association.