The Book of Ephesians.

Chapter 2.

(Verse by verse study.)

Un-edited

God’s Grace from the beginning to the end.

By Pastor Nick Bibile

 

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Workmanship in Greek poiema.

 

We studied previously that we are saved by grace alone. The way to heaven is not through human effort, human works of righteousness but God’s grace alone. Grace was given to believers before the foundation of the world and all believers were born sinners deserve the wrath of God as we have all violated his commandments. Yet God in his mercy and Grace saved us. God initiated the salvation apart from our works.

 

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

There is no room left for man to boast that he initiated salvation. This is a negative verse regarding works but we see in the next verse positive regarding works.

 

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

How can we reconcile these two scriptures, one being negative which says we are saved not of works and immediately the other that says we are his workmanship?

 

On verse 8-9 speaks the way to salvation is not by works. Then on verse 10 is the result of the salvation is of works.

 

When you see in context the way to salvation is by God’s grace alone not of works, as the previous scripture is crystal clear, ‘By grace you have been saved.’ The result of God’s salvation is our works in Christ Jesus.

 

John Calvin said all the good works, which we possess, are the fruit of regeneration. Which means out of our new spiritual birth comes good works. Calvin goes on to say that this works is a part of God’s grace.  How can this be? Let me explain in scripture.

 

The scripture says we are His workmanship not our workmanship and this excludes human will and includes God’s grace.  When it says we are his workmanship it does not mean of God creating us as some commentators have said but it means to the new creation of God, his spiritual creation the new man in Christ Jesus. Good works cannot come unless we are regenerated in Christ Jesus.

 

It says we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. The fallen man, sinful man came from Adam. We were in Adam before we came a Christian and in Adam we seek not the things of God and our works were evil.

 

Php 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

 

Yes, there fallen man the unbelievers seek their own will, own passion; own desires they live by the flesh and controlled by the flesh will seek things of the world and the flesh. The result is their works are evil.

 

Now someone may say, I have seen so many non Christians who are good citizens who help other people, live a good life, they are kind and loving, help and care for the needy. How can you explain this?

 

The answer. Man looks at the outward but God looks at the inward. Outwardly we see very nice people but when God looks he looks at the very heart of man, the motive of man. The unbelievers how good they seem to behave sometimes cannot please the true living God.

 

Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Why they cannot please God? Because when God looks at their hearts and motives, they are not pleasing to God. The fallen man will do good works; works, which help others but the glory and the honor, will go to him, which is not pleasing to God.

 

Ps 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name.

 

Ps 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.

 

Yes, the unbelievers will either honor each other for their good works and give glory to one another or praise their gods.

 

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

 

Mt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father, which is in heaven.

 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

 

So what is the result? Yes, the unbelievers may do some good works in the sight of men and they will be honored by T.V and media, glory and honor will go to them. But from the perspective of God how profitable is it?

 

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing.

 

Ro 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

 

 But the Christians are not in Adam but in Christ Jesus to do good works. Even these good works we perform does not come from our human will and power but of God. Yes, you pastors, missionaries, and all Christian workers it is God who works in you for his will and nothing to do with your power of the will.

 

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 

John Calvin on this scripture said, “this the sword for putting an end to all pride.”

 

How many times we hear some Christians talking highly of themselves, I did this, and I did that. Then looks down at you and ask what did you do?  John Calvin continued saying on Philp 2:13 the following.

 

“When we are taught that we are utterly nothing, and can do nothing, except through the grace of God alone.”

 

Jesus said, “For without Me, you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)

 

So my friend By Grace we are saved and by grace God gives us the strength to do good works. Can you believe if someone is going to do a great mission and he need people to accomplish that mission he will look for the most intelligent, educated and talented people to accomplish the mission. But that is not the case with God. Jesus selected just ordinary un-schooled fisherman to accomplish his mission. What do you see my friend? It is by the grace of God and all the glory goes to God as God gave the apostles to grace to accomplish his mission.

 

Zech 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

Col 1:29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (NASB)

 

Grace was given to the believers in Christ Jesus before time began. (

 Tim 1:9)

However we are born sinners and in this life we are saved by the grace of God alone. (Eph 2:8-9)

Once we are saved we do all the good works by the grace of God.

 

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

All our good works comes because we are created in Christ Jesus. Now the next sentence in Ephesians 2:10 says, which God prepared before hand (Literally ordained before hand) that we should walk in them.

 

We see very clearly that predestination is not according to our good works but the good works are the fruits and effects of it.

 

Again John Calvin said of the following:

Salvation does not proceed from ourselves. He says, that, before we were born, the good works were prepared by God; meaning, that in our own strength we are not able to lead a holy life, but only so far as we are formed and adapted by the hand of God. Now, if the grace of God came before our performances, all ground of boasting has been taken away. Let us carefully observe the word prepared. On the simple ground of the order of events, Paul rests the proof that, with respect to good works, God owes us nothing. How so? Because they were drawn out of his treasures, in which they had long before been laid up; for whom he called, them he justifies and regenerates.”

 

We see very clearly it is God who chose us, the believers and ordained us to be in Christ Jesus. Salvation is by his grace, the works of performance is by his grace because he appointed us and gave grace not after the cross but before time began.  So let us humble ourselves before God and walk in them.

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

God has plucked us out of the pit of hell, as by nature we too were the children of wrath, therefore let us understand salvation is nothing that we have done and we deserve but give glory to God alone. Now we are governed by God receive the good works by his hand from his holy spirit.

Apostle Paul silences the boasting and the pride of man and give all glory to God alone. God holds all things we cannot even move without his grace, from year to year, month to month, week to week, day to day, hour to hour and minute to minute we are indebted to God for his goodness and mercy alone.

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