For existing His, brought forth, created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God beforehand prepared for this, so that we walk in them.*
To understand this verse we will look at the Greek words and there meaning, hopefully we will come to the knowledge of the truth in what it means that we are His workmanship, a vessel prepared beforehand. Let us put aside for a time being the "good works" and focus on the workmanship. The word for brought forth is also translated as workmanship (poiema) with a meaning that which is made, or done; a work, workmanship, creation. In context and in this verse it is related to being a new creation, created in Christ Jesus. And the focus is beforehand, or before the good works. So the workmanship created is independent of the goods works. The concept is of a vessel prepared beforehand for use, a vessel whole, not broken or leaky but overflowing with living water, good works. The fruit comes from roots thus the focus is new and growth, maturity, thus the good works is a product of growing up, of being brought forth. Truly preparation comes before the calling. We walk in them, the good works, we practice truth, as God has prepared us beforehand.
living according to the course of this world, according the ruler of the realm of the air, the spirit that now energizes the sons of disobedience. Among them we once lived in the passions of our flesh, bringing forth the desires and impulses of the flesh...*
The old man could only bring forth sin, the new man was created in Christ Jesus, to bring forth good works. This word for bringing forth (poieō) is often translated as gratification but it means to do, make, practice, produce, bring forth. We see in context the workmanship is that which was created beforehand, this created in Christ a new creation, which is distinguish from the old man who doesn't do good works, who walks in the flesh, who doesn't practice, do, or bring forth truth. People of the world do works of the flesh as it is their nature, and evil energizes through gratification of the desires of the flesh, which means it gives pleasure or gives some form of satisfaction. Sin abounded under the Law for this reason, commandments, regulations, elemental principles, fear of punishment, had no energy or ability or power to overcome evil. Our old man of the world practiced works of the flesh, which was its true nature.
The new man is not of the flesh, his true default nature is of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is good works, against which there are no laws. For we exist His workmanship, a new creation, created beforehand in Christ Jesus. We existed as the world, of the flesh, but now as his workmanship we exist heavenly, spiritual. Now, is it all complete? though we fight from victory we still fight the good fight of faith, the work must continue. The Spirit exists in the child of God, but evil dwells near him, bringing him captive to sin in the flesh, its energy bringing forth the desires of the flesh. The flesh does opposite of the Spirit warring against it, thus one brings forth bad works and the other brings forth good works. Evil still wars against the child of God who has a carnal mind to bring him into captivity to sin in the flesh. The child must be brought forth, he must grow up into salvation.
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not bring forth the truth.*
This word for "bring forth" is (poieō) meaning do, practice, bring forth. I am using the term bring forth as it fits well with the parable of sowing which speaks of growth in this way, a seed, a seedling, a fruit bearing tree. And as John goes on to write of children, young people, and the mature. The concept is of being new and growing up which brings forth fruit or good works. It is also true that overcoming sin is under grace as it is God's power perfecting or maturing us to bring forth, to practice, to walk in truth. Also I hope you noticed that the words workmanship (poiema) and bring forth (poieō) have a connection. Bringing forth the truth, practicing the truth, doing truth, applying the truth, and walking in the truth are all related to being His workmanship created beforehand. The good works speaks of growth, of maturity, of doing, practicing the truth. The workmanship created in Christ beforehand will naturally, or I should say spiritually, as it is the spiritual man doing good works as it is its true nature being like Christ, bringing forth good works. I think that is the whole idea of being a Christian, we are Christ like.
Look Up Child
living according to the course of this world, according the ruler of the realm of the air, the spirit that now energizes the sons of disobedience. Among them we once lived in the passions of our flesh, bringing forth the desires and impulses of the flesh...*
The old man could only bring forth sin, the new man was created in Christ Jesus, to bring forth good works. This word for bringing forth (poieō) is often translated as gratification but it means to do, make, practice, produce, bring forth. We see in context the workmanship is that which was created beforehand, this created in Christ a new creation, which is distinguish from the old man who doesn't do good works, who walks in the flesh, who doesn't practice, do, or bring forth truth. People of the world do works of the flesh as it is their nature, and evil energizes through gratification of the desires of the flesh, which means it gives pleasure or gives some form of satisfaction. Sin abounded under the Law for this reason, commandments, regulations, elemental principles, fear of punishment, had no energy or ability or power to overcome evil. Our old man of the world practiced works of the flesh, which was its true nature.
The new man is not of the flesh, his true default nature is of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is good works, against which there are no laws. For we exist His workmanship, a new creation, created beforehand in Christ Jesus. We existed as the world, of the flesh, but now as his workmanship we exist heavenly, spiritual. Now, is it all complete? though we fight from victory we still fight the good fight of faith, the work must continue. The Spirit exists in the child of God, but evil dwells near him, bringing him captive to sin in the flesh, its energy bringing forth the desires of the flesh. The flesh does opposite of the Spirit warring against it, thus one brings forth bad works and the other brings forth good works. Evil still wars against the child of God who has a carnal mind to bring him into captivity to sin in the flesh. The child must be brought forth, he must grow up into salvation.
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not bring forth the truth.*
This word for "bring forth" is (poieō) meaning do, practice, bring forth. I am using the term bring forth as it fits well with the parable of sowing which speaks of growth in this way, a seed, a seedling, a fruit bearing tree. And as John goes on to write of children, young people, and the mature. The concept is of being new and growing up which brings forth fruit or good works. It is also true that overcoming sin is under grace as it is God's power perfecting or maturing us to bring forth, to practice, to walk in truth. Also I hope you noticed that the words workmanship (poiema) and bring forth (poieō) have a connection. Bringing forth the truth, practicing the truth, doing truth, applying the truth, and walking in the truth are all related to being His workmanship created beforehand. The good works speaks of growth, of maturity, of doing, practicing the truth. The workmanship created in Christ beforehand will naturally, or I should say spiritually, as it is the spiritual man doing good works as it is its true nature being like Christ, bringing forth good works. I think that is the whole idea of being a Christian, we are Christ like.
Look Up Child