Your Good Works Are His Good Works: Ephesians 2:8–10, Part 5

Look at the Book
Teacher: John Piper

[bernadcruz]

All glory and honor to you Heavenly Father!!!! Nothing in our hands we brought, but God equipped us with everything beforehand, so vast is his wisdom!!

[Richie]

as a new creation in Christ, one's act is accountable to God's love.

[Owen.Leitch]

😮‍💨🙌🏽AMEN, very well put sir. God bless

[cindyc]

God gives the unction and ability through the higher calling of the holy spirit.

[laplant]

Faith without works is dead. Faith produces works. We are not justified by works, we work works because our faith is working.

[philippe]

Good works are the direct result of my new creation in Christ, thus "prepared beforehand" thank you for this revelation. Thank you Dr Piper

[maxaplin]

It is right that in a deep sense our good deeds are God's good deeds as He works through us. But it would be a mistake to say that this means we don't have any free will. God uses our free will in this whole process.

[edwardparkhurst]

Very informative of Bible study, sir. Thanks for sharing this with us that watch your channel.

[refugeapostolicchurchofour]

Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Matthew 22:29
But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.

[belovedethan]

it is easy to debunk those who did Not believe Good works.. for a Question
"If Good works is Humans effort did Paul preach Good works in Ephesians 2:10 as Humans effort? or isn't Good works is How evidence God working in our lives through Christ Jesus

[truecounterphobia]

Okay, in the last Look at the Book video, I said I didn't see how Piper was addressing Good Works. I feel he makes a good case for this here.

Personally, I am a monergist at conversion, but a synergist when it comes to cooperating with the Holy Spirit for doing things like Good Works. I believe we do have Free Will, but I think what we do with our Free Will is exactly what God Wills for us. So I understand that this makes my view a paradox, but this is just how I read my Bible. Of course, I agree with Piper that I am incapable of pleasing God apart from regeneration, but I don't believe the Holy Spirit literally takes control of our minds to force us to do Good Works. So in this way, God gets the credit because I couldn't cooperate with the Holy Spirit without being regenerated because of the monergism of salvation.

[Amnual.]

While analyzing different translations, I came across a couple of things. ἐπί the word translated as unto (or *for* in your translation), is a primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (one on top of the other). Like a painting I suppose. I just thought that was really interesting seeing that he described us as a masterpiece/workmanship. Also, the words used in different translations are that and which. We are neither a that, or a which, we are a who. Why didn’t you use the same logic you used for the word FOR (at the start of verse 10), in that it supports SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST (in the last part of verse 9)? So we can see the word WHICH is clearly referring to and supporting the GOOD WORKS being prepared in advance. If we take a closer look at the word προετοιμάζω it’s two words in one. 1st word is πρό, a primary preposition, means before or in advance. 2nd word is ἑτοιμάζω, to prepare: - prepare, provide, make ready. This is the word you really want to pay attention to. It’s from ἑτοιμος, and ἑτοιμος is from an old noun ἕτεος (fitness); adjusted, that is, ready: - prepared, (made) ready (-iness, to our hand). Compared with the word κατασκευάζω from κατά and a derivative of σκεῦος; to prepare thoroughly (properly by EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT; whereas ***ἑτοιμάζω*** refers rather to INTERNAL FITNESS); by implication to construct, create: - build, make, ordain, prepare. I’m bring this to your attention because you said “these good works are the external manifestation of this workmanship.” I don’t completely disagree because the law causes us to produce good works. Now you can probably see where I’m going with this. Given all the information, I understand the verse in this way, “which (good works) God prepared in advance (prepared beforehand within us for internal fitness) that we should walk in them (good works). Jere.31‬:‭33 ”After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.“ Eze.36‬:‭27‬ ”And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.“ Titus‬.1‬:‭16‬ ”They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.“ Titus‬.2‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ”For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.“

[douglaspinsak]

John Piper is a smart guy who understands God's sovereignty TOO well. His lop-sided Calvinistic theology doesn't properly include mankind's ability to choose, and mankind's God-given dominion over the earth. God's works that He plans for you take into account who you are, what you are willing and unwilling to do, mistakes you will make, rebellion, etc. There is always a YOU component in life...you will have to put on the armor of God, resist the devil, quench not the Spirit, move on unto perfection, etc. Does the Holy Spirit empower all of that? Yes. But you will always play a role.