Gods Gifts And Our Works
In addition to salvation God builds into His children the ability to do the good works He wants them to do.
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 2:14: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Devotional material is taken from Today With The King, written by Robert A. Cook. Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved. Used with written permission.
Cook on 2 Peter 1:3: His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Read also verses 1 through 11.
When I was young, my father used to say to me, *My boy, I have to provide food, shelter, education, and loving care for you. That*s part of my job. But,* he went on, *that isn*t all. We have to build a life--your life--you and I. And there*s something you have to work at too, my boy!*
We all know there are some things you get *for free* and others you have to work for. Every one of us who is God*s child begins with certain clearly defined dimensions in his life. This is the Apostle Peter*s point in his second epistle when he says God has not only given us His grace (1:2), but also all things *that pertain unto life and godliness* (1:3) and *great and precious promises* (1:4) which are the key to Christian character and holiness. There isn*t anything you will ever need to live the Christian life that has not already been given to you.
You may recall the story of the elderly couple taking their first ocean voyage. They had scrimped and saved to get enough for their steamship tickets. Then, they thought, *We must have food for the journey.* Carefully they measured out cheese and bread and some dried meats—all they could afford. They hoped it would last until they reached their destination. Day after day they doled out the daily ration and ate it solemnly in their cabin. Just before the trip ended, someone discovered that these people had been eating alone in their cabin and inquired why. When the man and woman explained that they were trying to make the food last until the voyage*s completion, they were told, *Why, all your meals were included in your steamship tickets! You could have been eating as much as you wished, every day.*
Small thought here. All you need for a blessed, fruitful, satisfying Christian life is already yours. Claim it. Make it your own!
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