ARE YOU DOING YOUR OWN THING? Part 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

ARE YOU DOING YOUR OWN THING? Part 1

Are You Doing Your Own Thing?  Should we be doing our own thing?  The word of God in Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV) answers these questions for us, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  4 BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE WITH WHICH HE LOVED US, 5 EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED), 6 AND RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER, IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP (HIS ARTISTRY), CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”  Now, should we be doing our own thing based on God’s word?  Take a look at Ephesians 2:10 again, (Amplified version of the Bible) which proclaims, “10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].  Hallelujah!!!  Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) responds with, “There is a way that seems right to a man (or woman), but its end is the way of death.”  DID JESUS CHRIST SHED HIS BLOOD, DIE ON THE CROSS, AND SAVE US JUST SO THAT WE CAN DO OUR OWN THING?  Almighty God, because of His love, created us as His work of art, His own masterpiece, in Christ Jesus, to take pathways He set for our good.  Praise His Holy Name! 

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!