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Answer
In Ephesians 1-3, Paul explains the believer’s new position in Christ and the resulting implications. Moving into the second half of the letter (Ephesians 4-6), Paul urges believers to live in a manner that reflects this calling. A crucial transition from position to practice lies in the fact that we were designed “for good works” «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).
In Ephesians 1, Paul elaborates on how each Person of the Trinity contributed to establishing our new position in Christ: the Father predestined «even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love», (Ephesians 1:4), the Son redeemed us through His blood «In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.», (Ephesians 1:7), and the Holy Spirit sealed us (Ephesians 1:13-14). He then prays for believers to grasp the incredible blessings God has bestowed upon them (Ephesians 1:15-23). In their former lost state, people followed their sinful nature (Ephesians 2:1-3). Paul presents a stark contrast by highlighting that, in our new position, we were specifically created for good works «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).
ks, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. », (Ephesians 2:10).
Paul explains how people moved from the state of being lost, of being by nature children of wrath, and of being dead in trespasses and sins to this new, elevated position in Christ. By God’s mercy and love «But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, », (Ephesians 2:4), He made us alive in Christ even when we were still dead in our sins «even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) », (Ephesians 2:5). In other words, we did not earn it. We were not able to demonstrate any righteousness or provide any merit—God accomplished this through His grace and mercy. We were raised up to be with Christ and have a new position of citizenship with Christ in heaven «and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: », (Ephesians 2:6). God did all this for His own glory or the demonstration of His character, Ephesians 2:7.
How God accomplished our salvation is perhaps beyond our comprehension, but Paul provides a simple formula to help us understand what God did: by God’s grace (undeserved kindness) we have been saved (delivered from lostness and given His righteousness). This is His gift, and not something we have earned «For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: », (Ephesians 2:8). Paul reiterates that we did not earn it; otherwise, we would be glorified rather than God «not of works, lest any man sh
ould boast.”, (Ephesians 2:9). In giving us new life, God made us new as His workmanship, creating us in Christ Jesus for good works that He designed before this deliverance took place “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).
Remarkably, God created us for good works, not because of good works. We were not saved by our good works; rather, He saved us for good works. This is such a liberating and encouraging fact for believers. Good works are important in the life of the believer—they are what we are designed to do. But they are not the basis of our lives or the cause of our salvation. Because we have been made righteous and have new life, we can please God. As the author of Hebrews puts it, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”, (Hebrews 11:6)—yet that same author explains that believers can please God “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”, (Hebrews 13:16). Paul tells the Thessalonians that they are pleasing God by their behavior “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”, (1 Thessalonians 4:1), yet he reminds them to excel still more.
God has created us asNew creatures are created so that we can walk with Him and bear fruit (John 15:5;John 17:3). We are designed for good works—doing what pleases God—instead of living according to our former lost state. It is crucial that believers fulfill God’s purpose, as we have been crafted for good works “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).
