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Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10)

By Jeremy Myers
1 Comment

Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10)
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1117773946-redeeminggod-created-for-good-works-ephesians-210.mp3

Did you know God has prepared good works for you to do? In this study of Ephesians 2:10, we look at what these good works are, when God prepared them for you, and how this explanation of Ephesians 2:10 fits within the overall message of Ephesians 2. Prior to that, we will also answer a question from a reader about baptism in the Bible.

good works

Question from a Reader

I am 72 years old have been a believer for 60 years. … I am not a theologian by any stretch but am filled with the Holy Spirit and KNOW how to hear and be led by Him.

I am taught by the Holy Spirit and truth is truth. I have over my 60 years in Jesus seen it all and been in a lot of it, many denominations from Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, AG, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Hyper-Calvinist you name it even Hebraic Roots. I have heard it all and more.

Baptism in water and in the Holy Spirit is totally misunderstood and applied. I know that Matthew 28:19 is NOT water baptism. I know Mark 16:16 is misused as “water baptism” saves. The only baptism with water in the Gospels is John’s baptism of repentance. How Theologians have come to believe it has been transferred to Jesus when the only “baptism” the Gospels speak of is Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The immersion into the Name, the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is what is spoken to the disciples and believers, NOT WATER BAPTISM!

Am I correct?

These are great questions about what the Scripture teaches regarding baptism. I wrote a series of posts a while back on baptism. Here is the introductory post: What is baptism?

Most of these posts found their way into my book, (#AmazonAdLink) Close Your Church for Good. This is a massive book, nearly 800 pages, but there is a section in the book on Christian “rites” such as the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. And not surprisingly, my Gospel Dictionary online course also contains a lesson on the word “Baptism.”

Anyway, the primary thing we have to recognize when studying the word “baptism” is that it is not a translation of the original Greek text, but is instead a “transliteration.” The Greek word is baptisma, and for some reason, when scholars translated the Greek into English, rather than translate the Greek word baptisma into English, they just changed the Greek letters into English letters and left it alone. So the Greek word baptisma becomes the English word baptism. You see? No translation.

baptisma Greek word

So whenever you see the word baptism in the Bible, I recommend you translate it first. The word means “immersion” or “immerse.” And then look in the context to see what kind of immersion is in view.

And note that although the word “immersion” does bring to mind the idea of being immersed in water, it does not always mean that. For example, when people are thinking of moving to another country, they often want to learn the language of the people in that other country. One way to learn a foreign language is through something called “language immersion.” Does this mean that they get dunked under water until they miraculously learn the foreign language? No, it means they enter into the culture and among the people who speak that other language so that they are surrounded by it, and force themselves to learn it.

Biblical immersion works the same way. In the Bible, you can be immersed into a variety of things. Along with being immersed in water, the Bible also talks about being immersed in fire (Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16), immersed into the Holy Spirit (Romans 6), immersed into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2), and immersed into Jesus. None of these cases have water in view.

baptism definedAnyway, this gets back to the question from the reader. He mentions Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16, and correctly points out that neither one refers to water baptism. He mentions the baptism of John, which was a baptism for the Jews only, and was a baptism of repentance. It had nothing to do with receiving eternal life or becoming a Christian.

So the reader is right. There are many passages in the Bible which many Christians think refers to water baptism, when they do not. And this misunderstanding is all due to the unfortunate failure of the Bible translators to properly translate baptisma. How sad it is that the church has gone through so much turmoil, strife, and even violence, over a failure to properly translate a single Greek word.

Anyway, I appreciate the question. If you want to learn more about baptism in the Bible, just search my website for the word “baptism” or you can buy my book, (#AmazonAdLink) Close Your Church for Good or join my discipleship group and take my Gospel Dictionary online course. All of these explain baptism is much more detail.

Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10)

Ephesians 2:10 is a hinge verse. It’s a transition verse. It transitions from everything Paul has written so far in Ephesians 2:1-9, and introduces everything Paul is going to write in Ephesians 2:11-22.

So let’s look at the verse briefly, and then I will show you how Paul uses it to transition.

Ephesians 2:10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We are His Workmanship

First, Paul writes that we are His workmanship. There are numerous beautiful aspects about this word. First, in the New Testament, it is only used here and in Romans 1:20, where Paul uses it in reference to the things God made at creation. So when Paul uses this word, I believe he has in mind the original purpose and intent for which God made humanity. God created humans in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 for a specific task and purpose.

The Image of God in ManBack in my podcast studies of Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, we discussed this purpose at great length. We were created, as Genesis says, to be the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), or the ambassadors of God, in this world. To be His physical presence here on earth.  We are, I argued, the living, breathing, talking, walking, working statue of God in the Garden of God (Genesis 2:7). This is some of what Paul has in mind with the use of this word here. Go listen to some of those podcasts to learn more about this.

Second, the word Paul uses here is quite beautiful. In the Greek it is poiema. We are, in a sense, the poem of God. How do you like that?

Did you know God wrote poetry? He does. And guess what? You are His poetry.

You may think your life is full of pain and hardship, and it is. But there are also elements of joy and beauty and laughter. This is because you are a poem. A divine poem. All the greatest poems in the world have emotional highs and lows. Pain and beauty. Sorrow and laughter. And guess what? God is not done writing the poem of your life. So whatever you’re going through right now, look forward to tomorrow, in which God will write another stanza of your poem for you and all the world to read.

I find this idea beautiful and encouraging. With every second of every day, God is writing an epic poem with your life.

From N. T. Wright:

Now you may well feel that phrase ‘good works’ is a bit ho-hum, a bit ‘oh dear, here we go, we’ve got to behave ourselves’ and all that sort of thing. But it’s not like that at all. The word in the Greek for ‘what He has made us’ means we are God’s poem; we are God’s artwork. God has given us many, many gifts. The good works that we are to do are not simply referring to moral behavior.

God wants us to be fruitful. God wants us to be experimental. God wants us to be innovative.

God wants us to be His poem, in and for the world. Artists, musicians, poets, and dancers: this is your chance.

What makes this even more significant is that since we are God’s workmanship, since we are God’s hands, feet, and voice in this world, since we are an epic poem that He is writing, He’s not just going to abandon us. He’s not going to just leave us alone to go our own way. We are a significant investment for God, and He is going to take care of us so that He can get a good return on His investment. So that He can finish the poem in a crescendo of glory that takes our breath away.

Created for Good Works

This introduces the next idea Paul talks about in Ephesians 2:10. Paul writes that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Lots of pastors and teacher misread this verse, and use it to teach that if we truly have eternal life, then we will live a life of good works. This is a terrible explanation of this text.

First of all, remember that Paul is not writing about how to have eternal life. That is not what this chapter is about. It is instead about how to live this life as God truly wants and desires, and how we can show the world a better way to live as well. Go check out the studies on Salvation in Ephesians 2:5-7 and the explanation of Ephesians 2:8-9.

Second, even if Paul was talking about how to receive eternal life in Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 2:10 would still not be teaching that good works have anything to do with receiving, keeping, or proving that we have eternal life. Instead the verse would be about how to follow Jesus on the path of discipleship after we receive eternal life. Yes, God wants us to obey Him and follow Jesus in discipleship, but whether we do this or not has no bearing whatsoever on whether we receive eternal life, keep our eternal life, or provide evidence that we have eternal life. Discipleship is simply a matter of recognizing that God knows what is best for our life, and if we obey Him, we will live our best life now on this earth.

Nevertheless, this verse is not talking about this.

good works are necessary

The good works that Paul has in view are the good works that God gave to humanity to perform all the way back in the Garden of Eden. Since Paul has just talked about how we are God’s workmanship, His poem, that He began at the creation of the world, this means that the good works are the tasks and responsibilities that God gave us all the way back at the foundation of the world.

Paul is saying that once we recognize and receive by faith the truth that has been revealed in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9), we can then start living the way God really wants us to live. We will be delivered (or saved) from the old way of living, the worldly way of living in death and deeds of darkness (as described in Ephesians 2:1-3), and can now start living in this world as the image of God, the ambassadors of God, the living, breathing statue of God in this world.

This point is further emphasized in the last part of Ephesians 2:10.

That we should walk in them

Paul writes that these good works were prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Again, Paul is showing that the good works God has prepared for us are those that have been prepared beforehand. These are the good works God has always wanted humanity to perform. In my Genesis 1 podcasts, I pointed out that in Genesis 1, God performs seven key activities, and after God creates humans, God gives to humans the responsibility of performing all seven of these activities. God passes His tasks on to us so that we can share with Him in the work of taking care of this world. See the seven key activities here.

Finally, note that the Greek word Paul uses for the phrase “walk in them” is peripateo. It means “to walk about.” God wants us to walk around, explore, and investigate this world and all the possibilities and opportunities He has made for us. Now what is significant about this phrase is that the word “walk” becomes the key term in Ephesians 4-6. As Watchman Nee has pointed out, the book of Ephesians is dominated by three key verbs: (#AmazonAdLink) Sit, Walk, Stand. Ephesians 1-3 is about how we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 4-5 (and half of 6) is about how we are to walk as followers of God. And then the section in Ephesians 6 on spiritual warfare is about how we are to stand our grand against the attacks of the devil.

Discipleship never stops

But here, Paul provides a foreshadowing, or preview, or the “walk” section of Ephesians. He is saying that we are to walk in a certain way as followers of Jesus.

And this brings us to how Ephesians 2:10 is a transition verse, or a hinge verse, in Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:10 as a Transition

As I have frequently pointed out in our study of Ephesians 2, the chapter is divided into three parts. The problem (Ephesians 2:1-3), the Solution (Ephesians 2:4-10), and the application (Ephesians 2:11-22).

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul explained how this world lives in a never-ending cycle of death and violence. These are the bad works of darkness, brought into this world through the deceptions of satan.

In Ephesians 2:4-10, Paul explained what God has done for us in Jesus Christ to rescue and deliver us from this cycle of death and violence.

Then, in Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul shows what this new way of life looks like. He shows us how we can be free from the evil deeds of darkness and death, and instead live in the good works of light and life.

And that is why Ephesians 2:10 is the transition. Paul is closing out the section on showing us what God has done for us, which does include the good works prepared for us since creation, and is transitioning to the section on how we can perform these good works in this world as God’s image, as God’s ambassadors, as God’s poem in this world.

Pretty exciting, right? We are finally getting to the crux of the issue, how God wants us to live now in this world, in a way that is radically different from the way the rest of the world living and functions. That is where we will be picking up next time, when we look at Ephesians 2:11.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture, z Bible & Theology Topics: creation, Ephesians 2, Ephesians 2:10, good news, gospel, image of God

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What the Gospel says about Plants and Animals

By Jeremy Myers
5 Comments

What the Gospel says about Plants and Animals

Just as relationship with people were central to the original creation in the Garden of Eden and are central to all of God’s work in the world, so also, we must never forget that there could be no relationship in this world if there was no world to begin with.

People and the planet are intimately connected. So much so, that in the beginning, when God created the man and the women, one of the very first things He told them to do was to tend the earth and take care of the animals (Gen 1:28-29; 2:15).

We will be doing similar things in the new heavens and new earth as we continue to take care of God’s new creation.

This means that environmental concern and care for animals is part of living according to the gospel.
gospel environmentalism

Environment

As people who are called to take care of God’s earth, one area of concern in this regard will be the earth’s environment.

Environmentalism is a Christian cause.

We do not need to worship creation has some have done, but instead manage and tend to creation as God has called us to do as an act of worship to Him.

Among other things, this will involve taking care of our natural resources such as the water, the air, the forests, and the minerals. It means working to keep the earth beautiful and clean. It means living in a way so that we protect this earth rather than pollute it. Recycling efforts, renewable energy, and restorative ecology are all ways that the gospel can be lived out in this world as we tend and keep that which God has created for our use.

Animals

Tending and caring for the animals of this earth is also one way we can live out the gospel.

caring for animalsAnimals were not put here just for our enjoyment or to be our slaves. They are in many ways our companions in life on earth. God made them and put them under our care.

Since the gospel is about all of life, and since the gospel invites us to live as though the new heavens and new earth were already here, then the gospel also invites us to live as if we never left the Garden of Eden.

In the Garden, Adam and Eve were instructed to tend the animals and provide for them. As those who continue this work on the earth, we too must care for the animals. We can make sure their habitats are protected, that they are given adequate food and resources to grow and reproduce, that they are not hunted and killed into extinction, and that they are not taken advantage of or overworked as we tame them and train them to work alongside us on earth.

Since all creation is groaning in eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of God (Rom 8:19-23), we can live right now in a way to alleviate some of that groaning and ease the pain that the human plunge into sin has caused.

When we work on this earth as the stewards and protectors of the plants and the animals, we are fulfilling a large part of our gospel calling and vocation.

The Gospel According to ScriptureWant to learn more about the gospel? Take my new course, "The Gospel According to Scripture."

The entire course is free for those who join my online Discipleship group here on RedeemingGod.com. I can't wait to see you inside the course!

God is Redeeming Life Bible & Theology Topics: biblical living, creation, following Jesus, good news, gospel

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[#41] Genesis 3:6 – Drawn by Desire

By Jeremy Myers
1 Comment

[#41] Genesis 3:6 – Drawn by Desire
http://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/269295171-redeeminggod-41-genesis-36-drawn-by-desire.mp3

Eve Eating fruit Genesis 3:6This episode of the One Verse Podcasts look at the third foundational and revolutionary truth from Genesis 2-3. We see it in Genesis 3:6.

This study also considers an important concept from René Girard’s mimetic theory to see how a key concept is found in Genesis 3:6. If you want to learn more about this and how these insights help us understand God, Scripture, theology, current events, politics, and even your very own life, I recommend you get started with my book The Atonement of God.

The Text of Genesis 3:6

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

In this discussion of Genesis 3:6 we look at:

  • Why Genesis 3:6 is the grammatical center of Genesis 2–3
  • The third foundational truth: “Imitation Awakens Desire”
  • How Eve came to desire the forbidden fruit
  • The problem with religious fences is revealed
  • The shocking revelation that Adam was right there with Eve

Resources:

  • Buy The Atonement of God on Amazon
  • Mettinger, The Eden Narrative – Amazon
  • Sailhamer, The Meaning of the Pentateuch – Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis 1–15 – Amazon or CBD
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

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Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Bible study audio, creation, Eve, Genesis, One Verse Podcast, scapegoat, sin

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[#32] Genesis 2:19 – The Imitation Game

By Jeremy Myers
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[#32] Genesis 2:19 – The Imitation Game
http://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/257488469-redeeminggod-32-genesis-219-the-imitation-game.mp3

We are seeing several foundational truths from Genesis 2 about how to understand life, theology, Scripture, society, religion, and culture. Last week, we saw the first truth, that we are built for relationships. This week we see the second foundational truth, which may be the most important one of all.

imitation Genesis 2:19

If you want to see how today’s foundational truth is applied to our understanding of theology, Scripture, and culture, I highly recommend you get my book on the Atonement from Amazon. It’s called The Atonement of God, and in it, I present 10 areas of theology that were affected in my own life when I came to understand the truth I am about to present to you today.

The Text of Genesis 2:19

Genesis 2:19. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

In this discussion of Genesis 2:19 we look at:

  • A review of the 7 key activities of God
  • How God instructs us to imitate Him in carrying out these 7 activities
  • The foundational truth that humans were made to imitate
  • Why imitation has boundaries and dangers

Resources:

  • Buy The Atonement of God on Amazon
  • Genesis 1:26 – The Seven Activities of God
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
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Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: creation, Genesis 2:19, imitation, mimesis, mimetic rivalry, One Verse Podcast

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[#31] Genesis 2:18 – It is Not Good to Be Alone

By Jeremy Myers
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[#31] Genesis 2:18 – It is Not Good to Be Alone
http://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/256374056-redeeminggod-31-genesis-218-it-is-not-good-to-be-alone.mp3

So far in Genesis 2, we have seen that God has set up his temple. The temple was finished in Genesis 2:17, which means that beginning with Genesis 2:18, the biblical story really begins.

In Genesis 2:18, we see something foundational for how God wants us to live life, and something shocking about God’s role in that life.

The Text of Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:18. And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

In this discussion of Genesis 2:18 we look at:

  • The first thing in God’s creation that is not good
  • The first foundational truth about the human experience
  • What God did about Adam being alone
  • Seven truths from Genesis 2:18 about loneliness

Genesis 2:18 - not good to be alone

Resources:

  • Buy my Book on the Atonement
  • Genesis 2:4-6 – The Second Creation Account
  • My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?
  • Was Moses Divorced?
  • fm Interview with Kathy Escobar
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: alone, creation, Genesis 2:18, life, loneliness, love, One Verse Podcast, relationships

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