Being God's workmanship means believers are God's own created work in Christ — saved by grace through faith, not by works, and made for good works.
Les Feldick teaches that God does not leave a saved person as a 'wreck' but makes him a new person, a 'symphonic work of art' (Clips 1, 3). Because salvation is by faith plus nothing, no believer will boast before God; instead, believers are created in Christ Jesus for the good works God foreordained (Clips 2, 4, 6).
Ephesians 2:10 — This is the verse that directly uses the word 'workmanship' and defines its purpose: created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — These verses explain why being God's workmanship is not something to boast about: salvation is by grace through faith, not of works.
Ephesians 2:8-10 the central passage. Verse 8 says, 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.' Verse 9 adds, 'Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Then verse 10 states, 'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.' The word 'workmanship' shows that believers are something God Himself has created. The phrase 'unto good works' shows the purpose of that creation: a life of good works. The surrounding verses show that these good works are the result of salvation, not the cause of it.
Les Feldick points out that God's workmanship is not something a person earns. He says that 'not of works, lest any man should boast' carries the same truth Paul made concerning Abraham in Romans 4, and as a result of faith and the finished work of Christ, God has imputed His righteousness to the believer's account (Clip 3). Les explains that when God saves a person, He 'doesn't leave us like a wreck' — He makes us a new person with a whole new personality (Clip 3).
In Ephesians 2:10, Scripture says believers are God's workmanship, 'created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.' Les Feldick stresses that when God saves us He does not leave us like a wreck; He makes us a new creation, and He expects the believer to perform good works as the result of salvation, not as the way to be saved (Clips 3, 4). These good works were foreordained by God even before He created Adam (Clip 6).
No. Scripture is explicit: 'Not of works, lest any man should boast' (Ephesians 2:9). Les Feldick says most of Christendom has the idea that you work to attain salvation, but 'you work absolutely not at all for salvation.' It is 'all of grace by faith plus nothing.' Once saved, God does expect the believer to work — but for reward, not for salvation — and those works bring honor and glory to His Name (Clip 5).
Les uses a symphony orchestra to picture the believer. A composer takes many different instruments and arranges their individual parts so that together they produce beautiful music. In the same way, Les says, when God transforms us, forgives us, and makes us His child, we become 'a symphonic work of art' — something with every part put together and made a thing of beauty by the eternal God. He connects the word 'workmanship' with the Greek connection behind our English word 'symphony' (Clips 1, 7).
Because salvation is by grace through faith, not by human achievement. Les says there 'isn't going to be a single soul in glory that's going to be able to brag what they did to get there' — every believer, Old Testament as well as Church Age, is there 'by faith plus nothing' (Clip 2). Scripture adds 'Not of works, lest any man should boast' (Ephesians 2:9).
Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works
before we were saved, and we're all in this category, even if you've been living in a sheltered home life, yet we are all potentially in that kind of an environment and an attitude, a lifestyle, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air.
Symphonic work of art
Les says God transforms believers into a symphonic work of art, where every part has been put together to make a thing of beauty by the eternal God.
No boasting in glory
Les teaches that no one in glory will brag about how they got there, because every believer is saved by faith plus nothing and becomes God's workmanship.
New creation, not a wreck
Les explains that when God saves a person He does not leave them like a wreck; He gives them a new personality, and this is what it means to be His workmanship.
Created for good works
God's workmanship is as great a miracle as the creation of the universe, and the believer is created in Christ Jesus to do good works as a result of salvation, not for salvation.
Works for reward, not for salvation
Les clarifies that no one works at all for salvation, but after entering the glorious salvation experience, God expects believers to work for reward and to bring honor to His Name.
Good works foreordained by God
Les says believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, and God had already foreordained that His believers would maintain good works.
Greek connection to symphony
Les says the word 'workmanship' has the same Greek connection as the word 'symphony,' and he uses the merging instruments to illustrate what God does in a believer.
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.
This verse is the key passage showing that believers are God's created work, made for a life of good works.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This verse shows that salvation is entirely God's gift, not something earned.
Ephesians 2:9: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This verse explains why no one can take credit for salvation: it is not from human works.
Ephesians 2:4: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
This verse contrasts the believer's former state with God's merciful action, which leads to His workmanship.
It means believers are something God Himself has created and put together. Les Feldick says God does not leave a saved person as a wreck; He makes them a new person, a symphonic work of art. Scripture says believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God before ordained.
No. Les says not a single soul in glory will be able to brag about what they did to get there, because every believer is saved by faith plus nothing. The Bible says salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast.
Yes, but not for salvation. Believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, and God has before ordained that they should walk in them. Les says God expects the believer to perform good works as a result of salvation, not to earn salvation.
Les uses a symphony. He says a composer brings many instruments together to make beautiful music, and the believer is like that — a symphonic work of art, put together by the eternal God.
Watch the Teaching: Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works