Because of Christ, you are alive. If you were left to your own devices, you would be dead in your trespasses; but because of Christ, you are alive. End of story, some might say. But is it really?
Not in the slightest. Yes, as Paul says to the Ephesians, “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” (verses 8-9). It’s most certainly true that there is nothing else under the sun that you require to be saved. Jesus has done it all. But this is NOT the end of the story. Paul continues, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (verse 10).
Your salvation story continues to shape you after you are saved. You are a new creation with a new purpose. God’s best masterpieces are not stationary. He created you in his Son’s name with his Son’s goal in mind. The reason for your life is to walk in the good works God prepared for you. Take some time and really think about that today. What might those good works be?