Five Things Only a Believer Can Do

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10

    All of the good works declared in this verse of Holy Scripture are the good works of faith. They are marvelous, supernatural works which manifest the power and presence of God in those who are enabled to do them. By these works the believer is set apart from all those pretenders of the faith; the believer’s faith being justified by these good works. (See James 2:14-26) There are five good works which every believing soul is ordained to walk in.

    The first good work is the work of repentance. Repentance is a turning from ones self to the true and living God. It requires a spiritual awakening to sin. (See Romans 7:8-9) It is a despising of ones self. Repentance is a discovery that we are altogether as an unclean thing and all our righteousness’ are as filthy rags. (See Isaiah 65:6) Where is one in all of Adams fallen race that will take his place outside the camp with the lepers? Is there any of Adams sons that can look within and cry, O, wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 3:11 answers, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Only believers repent.

    The second good work unique to only believers is love. The love of God can only be perceived by the believing heart seeing the Father sending his only begotten Son to suffer and die in our stead: That which reconciles the rebellious sinner is to see the hand of God making him to be sin for us who knew no sin. No matter who makes the boast; he that loves not knows not God; for God is love. (I John 4:7)

    Submission is the third remarkable work of God in the believer: Parents over their children, husbands over their wives, employers over employees, civil government over the people, pastors over the assemblies and Christ over all. None but the believing heart can see such a glorious rule and put himself without reservation into the hands of God’s reigning king and submit to his rule.

    The fourth work is worship. Only believers worship. “We are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)

    The last good work ordained of God in which only the believer can walk is perseverance. (See Hebrews 10:38-39) Only a believer is content to walk in faith resting in the person and work of his redeemer and wait patiently for his return. (See I John 2:19)

    These are the good works of faith and every believing soul created anew of God by his diving decree will walk in them.