Go! And… Walk in the Good Works God Prepared for You - Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)
Introduction – The Masterpiece and the Mission
Imagine for a moment an artist who has spent years creating a beautiful painting — every brushstroke intentional, every colour chosen with care. But after finishing, the masterpiece is placed in a dark cupboard, never to be seen. What a tragedy!
And yet, how many of us as Christians live like that? God has made us His masterpiece in Christ — not to hide us away, but to display His glory and for us to live out the good works He prepared for us before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 2:10 is not just a verse to make us feel good about ourselves; it is a marching order for the Christian life.
1. The Masterpiece of God
Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s masterpiece…”
Paul has just told the Ephesian believers that salvation is by grace through faith, “not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Then he immediately adds this — we are God’s masterpiece (poiema in Greek, meaning “work of art” or “handiwork”). The word is only used twice in the New Testament — here and in Romans 1:20 — and it speaks of something uniquely crafted by God Himself.
In the historical context, the believers in Ephesus were surrounded by idol makers and artists producing statues of false gods. Paul deliberately uses a word they would understand — God Himself is the Artist, and we are His crowning work in Christ.
Genesis 1:27 — “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
From the beginning, humanity was created as a reflection of God’s glory. Sin shattered that reflection, but in Christ, the image is restored.
You are not an accident. You are not a random collection of cells. You are God’s intentional creation, remade in Christ for a purpose.
Max Lucado wrote, “You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.”
Lucado’s reminder demolishes the lie of worthlessness that our culture breeds. In Christ, our identity is secure because it is authored by God Himself.
2. The New Creation in Christ
Ephesians 2:10 — “…He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…”
The Greek verb here (ktizo) means “to create from nothing” — echoing Genesis 1. Just as God created the universe from nothing, He creates new spiritual life in those who are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2 Corinthians 5:17 — “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
The new birth is not a moral makeover; it’s a complete transformation.
Paul’s audience would have been familiar with temple rituals and religious reforms, but not with the concept of complete inner regeneration. This is the radical promise of the Gospel: God doesn’t just improve us — He resurrects us.
In a 21st-century World that often defines people by their past mistakes, the Gospel declares a fresh start. In Christ, your history does not define your destiny.
John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
This speaks to the reality of our new life — joy in Christ is both the evidence and the fuel for the good works we are called to do.
3. The Good Works Prepared in Advance
Ephesians 2:10 — “…so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
The phrase “planned for us long ago” translates from the Greek proetoimasen, meaning “prepared beforehand.” God has sovereignly arranged the opportunities for service and obedience that await each believer.
Titus 2:14 — “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
Matthew 5:16 — “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Theologically, this is not salvation by works, but salvation for works. Our good works are the outflow of God’s grace in us, not the cause of His acceptance of us.
Think of an orchestra — the conductor has written the music long before the performance. Each musician’s part is unique but fits perfectly into the grand composition. In the same way, God has written the “score” of your life’s good works before you were born.
Charles Stanley said, “God’s plan for enlarging His kingdom is so simple: one person telling another about the Saviour. Yet we’re busy and full of excuses. Just remember, someone’s eternal destiny is at stake.”
Stanley connects our “good works” to the urgency of Gospel witness — the greatest good work we can do is point others to Jesus.
4. The Gospel – The Source of the Masterpiece
The masterpiece exists because of the cross. We were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1), but God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live, died the death we deserved, and rose again, conquering sin and death.
The Gospel is not about turning over a new leaf; it’s about receiving a new life. Without Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, there is no masterpiece — only a broken canvas.
5. Call to Action – Walking in the Works Prepared for You
We must not be content to hang in the gallery of God’s grace without fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.
For believers: Step into the opportunities God has prepared for you — in your workplace, family, neighbourhood, and church.
For unbelievers: The invitation is open. You can become God’s masterpiece today by repenting of your sin and trusting Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have never surrendered to Christ, the Bible says, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Turn from your sin, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Benediction:
Beloved, go and walk in the good works God has prepared for you. Let your life display the artistry of your Creator and the glory of your Redeemer. And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
