Created In Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:8 is controversial but this phrase can shed some light on the controversy.

Whereas protestant evangelicals have taught we are so fallen we cannot do good works without being quickened by Christ, the phrase "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" shows that we are made with the ability to do good and it was God's intent for that to be possible. From birth we can do good.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

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

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. 

The works statement confirms good works are possible since men could make such a boast. The boast isn't wrong because good works are impossible, but on theological and faith grounds. Works have no salvation bearing without faith and before the faith message came. 

Paul isn't saying our works are bad and we are totally depraved as Catholics and protestants reasoned, he is saying we can't boast because God made us with our ability to walk in good works, so that he gets the glory for all the good we do. We are created with the ability to have faith and do God's will. We aren't depraved since we can have faith. Man was created with the ability to do good and those works are further empowered as Christ gave each his work to do.

Mar 13:34  For the son of man is as a man taking a long journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work; and commanded the porter to watch. 

We are born with the ability to do good work, but our actual responsibilities are commanded later. Doing works that are good is possible before salvation, but we aren't accepted until we fulfill commanded and directed works in faith. Before becoming a Christian our works are aimless and undirected. Before salvation our works have no salvation application. We cannot be saved based upon these aimless works, even if they are good. Faith gives our work a salvation direction. Faith takes our life from self-directed to Christ directed and salvation directed.

Not of works means our good works cannot originate salvation in our behalf. Good works without the faith message could never save us. Good works could never absolve the guilt of our equally bad works. Good works are within the faith message, however. After entering the salvation relationship we have directed works we are required to fulfill. Since, we continue to sin these works can never fulfill anything but faith, they cannot fulfill a law of moral justification. Salvation must continue as a gift.

The gift of God started in creation when God made man with the ability to hear and believe and act, and it applies to us today. The theory of totally fallen man in nature  is just that, a theory that Paul refutes. Instead of saying we are depraved, we should do good to God's glory not our own. The purpose shouldn't be our own glory but his.

Mat 6:2  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. 

Even the clothing of nature exceeds the glory of the greatest builder on earth.

Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Someone might argue our good is filthy rags compared to God, which is true, but it doesn't mean our good is bad,  just to a lower degree than God's. Solomon's wisdom was a gift from God but was not all the creativity God could have given. Thus God could array flowers with greater glory than Solomon's garment.

God should get the glory for any good we do, the design of our heart, soul, and mind are his and we should acknowledge him.

Joh 7:18  He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 

There is no unrighteousness in our good work when we give God the glory.

Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 

The apostles were given Glory by Christ and all should be to the praise of his glory.

Act 12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. 

Even our benevolent works administered by us are to God's glory.

2Co 8:19  And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: