We Are His Workmanship, Made for Good Works as Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Remember, Paul is teaching us in these first three chapters about who we are in Christ. Here clearly stated, “we are His workmanship” – to be clear—God’s workmanship. The word translated “workmanship” [poy’-ay-mah] used only two times, once by Paul and once by Luke both refer to “things made” [Thayer’s]. As used by Luke in Acts 19:24 of Demetrius the silversmith, a craftsman, making shrines of silver. I think of Jeremiah 18 where the Lord says, “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!” (18:6). Brothers and sisters, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, predetermined by God “that we should walk in them”. Yes, Solomon said, “Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” (12:13) and now we hear God who through His inspired writer says as you do that, while you are alive my children, I made you to walk in good works.
We know that good works do not save us—but understand me when I say that everything ever made has a purpose. Paul wrote to the Romans saying that God’s “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (1:20). David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (19:1). These are all God’s workmanship and as for the saved—it is God’s intention that our salvation results in acts of service.