Purpose

In answer to the age old theological question, "Are we saved by faith or by works?", the answer is, "No."  The Bible is very clear in saying, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8).

We are saved "by grace."  Notice the specific qualifier that follows, "this is not from yourselves."  It is not something you earn or arrange by your power, "it is the gift of God."  As the apostle Paul put it, We are "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (Jn 1:13).

We no more earn or arrange our place in God's family than a baby his/her own birth.  Our salvation is His doing from first to last.  Our part is to accept or reject His gift just as Joshua called on the ancient Israelites to do: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).

Notice here that the choice is free, there is no earning, only accepting or rejecting.  However, that doesn't mean that faith isn't important for who would accept what he doesn't believe?  And it doesn't mean there is no working for who wouldn't serve the God who created him and in whom he believes?

The point to get here is one of positioning.  It is not whether works or faith have a place but where we place them.  They do not come before the offer of God's gift but after.  God's gift is freely offered and then we believe in Him, receiving his gift and then, having received it, we begin to live and work in his kingdom as a part of his family: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:10).  It is not "do to be created" but "created to do."

What this means is that, in Christ, we all have purpose - work to accomplish that is ours alone.  Someone else may have to do it if we are not faithful to do what God purposes, but it was purposes for us nonetheless.  God charges the husband to be the spiritual leader in the home but if he will not, the wife may have to take the reins.  Your boss my have charged you with getting out a report but if you cannot or will not, he may well assign that task to someone else - but, it was still your responsibility as purposes by your boss.

I don't know what all God has or had purposed for me.  I don't know if I fulfill or have fulfilled all that has been purposed.  But I daily see things that God wants me to do as expressed in His Word (love, give, help).  I may never again be called to preaching or missions or the like, but I and you, as children of God, are charged "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:10).  Purpose!  Jus' Say'n.