(PNN) PPSIMMONS News and Ministry Network: FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST

by Rev. Joda Collins

This article is dedicated to 82-year old Captain Ben Marler, a current and long-time resident of Destin, Florida and grandson of the co-founder of Destin Deep Sea Fishing, Destin, Florida. ( https://www.tripshock.com/Deep-Sea-Fishing-Party-Boat-in-Destin/details/39/?from=2020-09-19&to=2020-09-25 ) -- Captain Ben was a sea fishing Captain for more than 25-years. He is a graduate of Sewanne Military Academy and Florida State University with a business degree. Captain Marler is an evangelist, a lover of God and a lover of people.

Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." The Captain loves this verse!

When God works in our life, one result is we do good works for Him. We are his workmanship unto good works! In other words, God works on us and with us so we can and will work for Him! It is good to pray, fellowship with God, study our Bible and have faith. However, these things are not the end of our daily walk and commitment to our Lord, but the foundation for the primary reason we were created in Christ Jesus, which is "unto good works."

"Let your light so shine before men, that they see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16.)

We pray in private, fellowship with God in private, study our Bible in private, and have faith unto ourselves in private (faith is inward). Our good works in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is our public manifestation of our private prayers, communion with God, study of His Word and God-centered faith.

When this life is over, God will judge the value and impact of our lives by our good works. "If any man's work abide (pass the test of God for validity) which he has built thereupon (his relationship with Jesus Christ), he shall receive a reward." (1 Corinthians 3:14, KJV, parenthesis mine, Joda Collins).

Jesus has faith in his Father, but Jesus' ministry was doing the works of this Father! (John 5:36.) After Jesus spent time with his disciples, He sent them out to work! (Mark 16:15.) As Captain Marler puts it, "Being a workman for God is where God places His bowl of joy!"

"...let every man prove his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing...." (Galatians 6:4.)

God is good. Pray, fellowship with God, study your Bible and have faith. However, do not forget that we are all created by God to do the work of the ministry. We are supposed to expend time, energy and money to minister in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Here is the secret. If we pray sincerely, fellowship with God continually, study our Bible under the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, and live our lives trusting God in faith, doing the works of God is the normal and natural result. Christians are the salt and light of the world. We can all find our place(s) of service to Him. Consider the countenance and life-message of Captain Ben Marler; we must serve Christ with good works if we are going to make any significant and lasting Christ-impact in our world, and if we are going to partake of the fullness of the the bowl of God's joy! Above everything, tell the old, old story, Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves! (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10.)