OF HIS MAKING

In the apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus he makes this comment, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Workmanship literally means ‘a thing of His making” or his handiwork. This is a spiritual creation, not physical. We have been created in Christ for good works. Later Paul calls this the ‘new self, which is in the likeness of God that has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.’

“Good works” cannot be performed until we are newly “created unto” them. Paul never calls the works of the law “good works.” We are not saved by, but created unto, good works. He states emphatically that we are saved by ‘good grace’ and that is so we might do ‘good works.’ We have been made to do these good works because of his making us for them.

Paul ends his letter by stating that we are ‘to walk’ in these good works. We are not to assume to “be saved” by them. Works do not justify, but the justified person works.

“My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Jesus