The Bible clearly explains that all of us have been designed to do the good work that God has prepared in advance for us to do. Before we were saved, God designed us to do something that we will only effectively do once we are saved. But how come many "saved" Christians aren't apparently doing anything?

Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

How were you saved?

There's a question that goes through my mind every time I see charitable organisations work, in comparison to how some churches reach out to their communities.

Some of these organisations that I hear of aren't Christian, but they are all-out in doing all sorts of good things: housing projects for the homeless; bloodletting drives and medical missions; even feeding projects for many far-flung and impoverished locales. Doing good makes them feel good.

Some churches, on the other hand, merely focus on evangelistic concerts and inviting "outsiders" to their churches in the hopes that these people will be brought to the gospel of Christ. Probably, they want to avoid getting "contaminated" by the world outside the four walls of their respective ministries.

Thinking about this and comparing it with how Christ approached people, one will really see how the non-Christian groups do more Christ-like projects than those who are already Christians. Why?

Could it be that these unbelieving but well-meaning folks think that doing good will merit them good feelings, even salvation? Probably yes. I used to think that in doing good, I could purchase my way to heaven. But I was mistaken. "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it," says Ephesians 2:9.

Work hard to show your salvation

Paul said in Philippians 2:12-13, "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."

Our salvation should cause us to do the things we should be doing as Christians!

God designed us for good works. We won't do good so that we can be saved. Rather, because we are saved, we should only be doing good works, not even for ourselves—just like what Christ did!

And if Christ, our almighty Saviour, did so many good things while He was doing His earthly ministry, why can't we? We only have one earthly life, and it's going to end soon. We better live doing all the good we can do for Christ then.