Ephesians 2:10

Day 16

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

The book of Ephesians is easily outlined.  In fact, it can be outlined as simply as any book of the Bible.  Chapters 1-3 address theological issues concerning God’s triune plan of salvation, humanity’s desperate need for salvation, the reason for God saving us on the basis of faith, the unique work of bringing Gentiles into a relationship with Him, and the surprising impact of the Gospel of unifying Jews and Gentiles in the church through faith in Jesus.  Chapters 4-6 address ethical, moral, and relational issues along with how the believer should deal with our spiritual adversary.  Out of the 66 verses of the first three chapters of Ephesians, only one verse really speaks to the issue of Christian ethics or Christian behavior.  Only one verse in the entire first 3 chapters of Ephesians talks about the type of life to be lived by those who have faith in Christ.  This verse, Ephesians 2:10, is the only verse in the first half of the book that tells us how we should now live now that we have become believers in Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 gives a concise explanation of saving faith.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  The initial statement, “for by grace you have been saved through faith” offers to us the theological foundation to the Christian message.  The four qualifying statements which follow clarify exactly what Paul meant by “by grace you have been saved through faith.”  The last of the four statements, “not a result of works” prompted Paul to take a brief interlude to clarify an important theological issue.  If works afford no facet in our salvation, then what role does works play in the life of the believer?  Or said this way, since salvation is by faith alone, do works have any place in the life of Christians? 

Ephesians 2:10 now enters the discussion.  Though we are not saved by good works, it turns out that good works are as much an aspect of the creative plan of God as the universe itself and His glorious plan for our salvation.  Just as God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), He also predestined our life as to what comes after our saving faith in Christ.  Believers are His “workmanship” or creative work.  At times this term, “workmanship” appears in the realm of the textile industry, describing the work done on a tapestry or a designer rug.  The word can also be used in a broader sense of artwork.  We are His masterpiece, like a work of art.  As new believers, God sees our life as a blank canvas.  Good works are God’s medium of choice in order to complete His masterpiece design of our life.  Before the creation of the world, God predestined that we would glorify Him through good works.  Ephesians 2:10 describes these good works as that which God “prepared beforehand.”  God planned the productive life of the believer in advance, much like He planned creation and salvation. Good works do not and cannot save us. However, good works matter. They are part of God’s plan from the beginning. God planned good works to bring Himself glory just as creation glorifies God and salvation glorifies God. Jesus told His disciples to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) When the church gathers in heaven, the book of Revelation describes the scene, the church adorns herself like a bride for a wedding ceremony.  However, the text describes a very different wedding gown than normal for such an occasion.  “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:7-8)  Good works were designed by God beforehand. Good works adorn the church at the end. Once we are in Christ Jesus, we are called to a life of good works.  Those good works were designed by God in eternity past and our good works go with us, adorning the church, into eternity future.

Suggested Prayer:  God, show me the good works that You have for me to do today.  Give me an awareness of how You are working all around me and how You invite me to participate in Your great work.  Display Your glorious attributes of grace, kindness, mercy, love, and patience through me today.  May You be glorified in my life.

Ephesians