Introduction
A few days ago, we talked about the old you. We found out that "everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard" (Romans 3:23). We are messed up and can't save ourselves.

Yesterday, we talked about the new you. Romans 3:24 says, "Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins." This means that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross saves us. We can't earn salvation; it's a gift. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works.

Today, let’s explore the role of works in the Christian faith. Do Christians need to do good things, or can we just accept grace and continue living the same way?

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Explanation and Reflection
Let’s look at some implications of this one verse:

• We are God’s Masterpiece.
  Think about this for a minute. You are beautiful, important, and prized. Why would you mess that up? The Bible says our body is a temple that belongs to God. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Don't mess up God’s temple and masterpiece by disobeying His standards. Yes, no one is perfect. You don’t have to be. We all mess up. But live a life worthy of the Gospel through obedience to God’s word and ways (Philippians 1:27).
• He Has Created Us Anew
  We all love new things. Who doesn’t love a new house or car? When we get something new, we treat it well. If we don’t treat new things well, they lose their value. The good news of the Gospel is that God’s mercies are new every day (Lamentations 3:23), and God forgives our sins completely (Psalm 103:12). Being born again doesn’t mean you have to be perfect from the day you accept Christ. Your continued struggle with sin doesn’t make God love you any less. He didn’t save you one day to abandon you the next.
  However, being disobedient and living outside of God’s ways harms us in two ways. First, a sinful lifestyle harms our ability to flourish in this life. His ways lead to our ultimate joy and peace. Not following them leads to problems. Second, living according to God’s will also gives us a strong sense of personal worth. When God says you are a masterpiece and you act like it, it feels good even if the journey is hard. You realize you are made in His image, loved by Him, and you can be confident because God has a purpose for you.
• God Wants to Use Your Good Works
  We are not saved by good works but for good works. You are God’s workmanship, made to bring beauty into the world. God made you. As a result, you should live obediently to bring His kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
  The book of James says, “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds’” (James 2:18). James also says faith without works is dead (James 2:26). A life saved by grace through faith shows its fruit by living out Jesus’ way of life. Salvation should bring about joyful obedience and trust.
  Works matter. They can't be ignored based on some mixed-up ideas about grace independent of works. Works are beautiful and lead to beauty in the world and beauty in us. Don’t neglect works. Embrace them, knowing that God has your best interest at heart.

Question of the Day
Here's a question for you to think about and apply:
Do you tend to misuse grace and neglect works? Or do you tend to forget about grace and act as if you can earn your own salvation by trying to please God through obedience? How can you balance your life to have a healthier view of grace and works?