“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
“The biblical necessity of holy living does not nullify grace. Rather, it is based squarely on the pardon of grace and demonstrates the power of grace.” Dr. John Piper
If good works do not in any way justify the sinner before the One, True Holy God of the Bible, then in what way, if any, do our good works facture into our relationship with the Lord?
The Bible teaches that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:1-8). It is also true that the Bible teaches that believers in Christ demonstrate the truth of their conversion by their good works. While the believer’s good works do not make them any more justified, they do demonstrate the reality of their justification and their growth in sanctification.
The Apostle Paul stated in today’s text that all believers are God’s workmanship. The word workmanship (ποίημα; poiema) means God’s creation and product. In other words, result of God’s grace in the converted sinner’s life is that they are presently and actively God’s new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Paul continues to say that as God’s workmanship, the Lord creates all believers in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works. God prepared in advance these good works so that we would actively go about doing them. What we do for God, and who we are for God, He already providentially planned.
Dr. John Piper also explains that, “The work of God in justification does not make the work of God in sanctification optional. The Bible doesn’t say that forgiveness makes holiness optional; rather, forgiveness makes holiness possible. The God who justifies also sanctifies. The faith that justifies also satisfies –it satisfies the human heart in god and frees it from the deceptive satisfaction of sin. This is why justification and the process of sanctification always go together—they both come from the same faith.”
Thank the Lord today for you being His workmanship (Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13). Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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