Author: Wick

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)

Most of us have heard this verse before. Most of us have heard this verse translated this way. Most of us have heard the message that goes with it.

Something to the effect of spending our days searching for that thing – tomorrow, next week, sometime this year, or perhaps a career or path in our life. Some specific “work” that God has prepared in advance for us to do. We can get very emotional sometimes, either being anxious about finding that moment, or about giving God credit for a circumstance that “just happens” to come together at the right moment – even if that moments happens to slap most involved in the face.

Does God sometimes orchestrate moments, and call us to specific paths – both on a daily basis and on a grand “life direction” basis? Sure He does. I believe it. But is that what Paul was talking about in this verse? Nope.

It’s more obviously seen in the NRSV translation: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand to be our way of life.”

It’s about a daily existence resourced in the Spirit of God, which leads to a life full of that Spirit bearing fruit in and through us. Good things will happen. “Works” will be accomplished. (no matter what type of “works” we believe Paul was talking about here)

Literally in the Greek it says “en autois peripatesomen” , or IN THEM WE SHOULD WALK. It doesn’t say “TO them we should walk”, as if these works are some sort of destination we should be aiming for. They are merely a way of walking, a way of living towards God and towards His Kingdom being announced/proclaimed/brought about here on earth.

May we naturally be involved in the works of God in creation, simply (and not so simply) because we seek to be sourced in and transformed by the Spirit of Jesus Christ…both as individuals, and as HIS Church…

So I’ve been reading NT Wrights’ “Justification” slowly on purpose. There is much to sink yourself into, especially if you read the texts he brings into play as they come.

In Chapter 3, he writes one of the best summaries of why second-temple Judaism is so important to an understanding of the New Testament I’ve ever read. Everywhere from simply understood statements such as:

“most Jews of the time were not sitting around discussing how to go to heaven, and swapping views on the finer points of synergism and sanctification.”

All the way to more complicated, but helpful to understanding Paul:

“the “dikaiosyne theou” (righteousness of God), is an outward-looking characteristic of God…that of God’s creative, healing, restorative love.”(speaking of God’s covenant to His people FOR THE SAKE OF creation) “Indeed, it is because God will be true to that outward-facing generous, creative love that he must also curse those ways of life, particularly those ways of life within his covenant people, which embody and express the opposite.”

Sure, there are points where he defends himself against specific accusations by John Piper in his own book on Justification; but always in a way that reveals/embraces scripture, rather than only a traditional understanding of one group/line of people.

This is all groundwork/foundational discussion for the exciting parts that are to come; namely, his brief exegesis on a few major works of Paul. All of this definitely makes me want to get a copy of the New Interpreter’s Commentary……even if only a digital copy on cd of some sort. Maybe I splurge and put my office/professional budget towards better use than random reads….but that might be a couple year’s worth. Someday…

Or perhaps “zero” specifically. How do we as people in ministry (not just pastors/youth pastors, but EVERYONE who has been transformed towards Christ, and because of that your very nature desires that others hear the good news) respond to “zero” being the answer to the question: How many people have stumbled over Jesus and been drawn to him due to your existence this past year?

Taken from Bishop David Kendall’s blog:

“1. Determine: not here, not now, not us! The one who created the world out of nothing and who raised Jesus from the dead is on your side when you say this!

2. Pray your determination. Pray for opportunities to get into the action, for people you know, for people to meet, for opportunities to come.

3. Use the good senses God gave when he created you and the Spirit now wants to fine tune within you. Use your eyes—open them widely. Look intently and ask, “What’s really happening?” Use your ears and listen. What are you hearing? What impresses you? What might God be saying to you in that situation or to that person?

4. Do something. There are so many options. Where is someone hurting? Where do you see a need? What could be done? Do it! Do it and know you’re probably doing more than you know. Beyond or beneath the need something else is going on. God will open a door.

5. These are things you can do as individuals. Think what you might do in partnership with others, as church, even a small church. Think what could happen if the church was totally at the disposal of God in its community. There’s just no way a whole year could pass without at least one new follower!”