Created in Christ for Good Works

CREATED IN CHRIST FOR GOOD WORKS (Ephesians 2:1-10)

One of the many frustrations people had during the lockdown, and other people still have it. Is that they could not go to work. Some felt blessed to at least work from home. And even then, it was not the same as going to work. I am sure lots of homemakers felt the frustration of having their children and spouse around the house. Not that their children or spouses are the frustration, but being interrupted to do their work is. Sadly, plenty of people have become unemployed, and are looking for new work. Now whatever your opinion is about the lockdown. The point is that work has become and interesting and relevant reality. And this is so for the Christian too. We have to think about work. And I don’t just mean jobs, but divine work.

Last time we saw the Christian is “alive in Christ” (2:4). And this new life was given to them by grace. That God brought them from death to sin to life in Christ. And today, we will see that your new life as the believer involves work. So here we are coming to one verse – verse 10.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

This verse must not be seen as a stand-alone verse. Even though it seems a bit disconnected from the rest of the passage. Because on its own this verse really doesn’t mean much, other than Paul was telling the church that they have been created for good works. Also, what Paul does not do, in this verse, is to tell them what that work is. And the question is why is that? Is Paul just a bad writer, or forgot to add it, or should we assume that the Ephesians knew the answer? Not at all.

Paul’s lack of explanation in verse 10. Apart from chapter 4, where we get to see the church’s unity in their diversity of gifts. That is, gifts distributed by the Lord Jesus for the work of ministry. Here, Paul is laying out that being a Christian. And doing good works goes together.

When we follow Paul’s train of thought. Starting in chapter 1 until chapter 2:10. We find that part of the answer is in everything he said so far. Only now he states it in one verse. That is, good works are not thought up, or an invention of human genius. Instead, good works, as with their salvation, is God’s grace to them.

Starting in chapter 1, he tells them how this works. First, they were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world – but he says, it is nothing they did themselves, but God the Father did it (Eph 1:1-10). Then he says that, they have a future inheritance. Again, but by nothing they themselves did – but it is the Holy Spirit who keeps their inheritance (Eph 1:11-14). And then he says that, they have access to know Christ better, him as the Head of the church. But it is nothing they deserve. It is Christ himself who did it in his death and resurrection (Eph 1:15-23). Starting in chapter 2, Paul succinctly says that, they are alive in Christ by God’s grace through faith; again in verse 8, that it is nothing they did themselves (Eph 2:1-9).

In other words, Paul’s aim – at least not yet, is not to tell them: what good works are: as in giving them a list of things to do. But Paul’s aim is to tell them why they have good works in the first place. Just as their salvation is by grace. So too their good works are given by God’s grace. Because people are not only undeserving of salvation, people are also underserving of God’s good works. So good works are really a gracious call, not an option, a priviledge not a burden, and a necessity, not a choice.

Paul says to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:9, talking about God’s grace in salvation and ministry. He says, He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. Paul says further in verse 11 that, And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. This is to say that, in-build into the Christian’s salvation is God’s own purpose and grace for them for good works.

The point is that, fundamental to the Christian life are good works. And eternally speaking, works God appoints in his Son Christ Jesus. And not works of one’s own efforts for salvation. But works given to them that points to their salvation by God. Jesus in Matthew 5:16, after calling his disciples the “salt” and “light” of the earth. Referring to the impact they must have in the world. He says, “So they may see you good works and give glory to your Father”. James 2 says that, these good works are necessary because faith without works is useless and dead. Meaning, a believer does good works because it shows their faith and salvation by God.

Notice the contrast of God’s good works with the works Paul sows in verse 8-9. In verse 8b, “And this is not from yourselves”. Not your own doing. And verse 9, “Not by works”.

This is to say that, the good works God places upon a person is nothing like the work of our own hearts – that comes from ourselves. Our works wants to achieve, impress, and persuade God to look at what we have done. Remember the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10? “What shall I do to enter eternal life”?

This means that, in a practical sense, God’s good works for us is a memorial of his work in us. Whatever you do for God ought to remind you of the redemptive work he has done in you through Christ. Which is a great warning for some. Because some people struggle to enjoy the great work of Jesus on the cross. The reason is because they are not involved in any gospel work that reminds them of his work in them.

Notice verse 10 again, that Paul connects the good works to who they are. He says, “For we are God’s handiwork”. And stressing it even more, Paul uses the word “created” – “Created in Christ Jesus”. Meaning, they are a handiwork of a new creation.

And here we find that wonderful core doctrine – the doctrine of man. A doctrine not thought up by Paul. And one, only relevant for the Ephesian church. But a doctrine put in place by God himself. Saying, that man is created in the image of God. And as seen in Adam and Eve, this creation does not only involve perfect communion, love and joy in God. But also, as God’s creation people get to take pleasure in God’s work. This is why, theologians speak of ‘the covenant of works. Hence, part of Adam and Eve’s punishment after the fall was God cursing the ground that they were supposed to work. This for Paul, is now the same work created anew in Christ. People are new creations in Christ and they have once again been given good works.

Biblically speaking, your new status and position in Christ is not only how you look – a new creation. But it is also what you do – you are called to be a new creator of good works (small c). All to say that, your good works are part of your salvation-package.

Church! Good works and ministry must be an overflow of your salvation. Not a task limited to your calendar or to do list. Planning and scheduling is a great discipline if it is to build your life around your good works for God. This is why you have been created in Christ.

Notice how Paul closes the verse. Pointing to the time God willed their good works. Paul says, “Which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Again, good works are ours by the grace of God. Firstly, it is not a human invention. And secondly, neither is it an after-thought. But God prepared our good works. And he did it in advance. In fact, God could do it no other way, given that the Christian’s work is attached to their salvation. And salvation is an eternal work before the foundation of the world. In other words, God the Father set apart (in eternity) the person of Christ to achieve your salvation by the Holy Spirit. That he would do the greatest work ever done by any person, that is, he would finish his work on the cross for your sins. And in this work, the greatest work, he set apart your work simultaneously as a labourer, farmer, and worker – ready for the work. This is not to say your day-job does not bring glory to God because it does. But the divine work of the gospel has been granted to you by God’s overflowing and never-ending grace.

So the question today is, do you lack good works? It may be because you lack the grace of salvation. And do you want to work for God? Then place your trust in Jesus and depend on the work he has done for you. It is only in his work that you can really do good works.