Ephesians 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.

For we are the product, or result of labor and skill, possible only of God the Creator, being transformed at the very nature, from one type to another, and translated from power and authority to another, and given the capacity to know and do that which is righteous, which God before determined that should do.


We are in Christ as a result of God’s workmanship, and not by our own strength or power. As Colossians 1:13 teaches, it is God who "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son". We are translated from one place to another, just as Enoch was translated, from earth into Heaven above, solely by the power of God. We are translated by God in this way when we are regenerated and adopted as children. Furthermore, at this same time, we are created, or rather transformed, being changed in nature, but not in character. This change in nature is the implanting of a second nature that enables the person (Colossians 1:12), for the first time in his life, to have the capacity to "see" the kingdom of God. As this passage further teaches, this takes place so that we are positioned to be able to do good works. In other words, we must first obtain the capacity at regeneration, before we can later receive the ability through faith, from the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to these two natures as the old and new man. They are also known as the carnal nature, which is born of the flesh, and the spiritual nature, that will be born, or brought to life (John 3:6), by conversion. These works were "before ordained that we should walk in them". These works are the required and approved works, even our faith. The use of the word "should" does not mean that we will, but rather that we ought to do so; it is our duty, or as Paul says, "our reasonable service". As I stated above, this is a change in nature and not character. Character change takes place when the person converts, after having first trusted in the gospel of his salvation, and then believed in Christ (Ephesians 1:13). This then results in the person becoming a new creature, having put away the former unfruitful things that were prevalent in his life.

Related passages:
John 6:29