Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV
[1] As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [3] All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. [4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. [6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We often think about Ephesians 2:10 in particular as referring to our self-worth or self-esteem. The fact that we are God's workmanship makes us feel special. We are not worthless. Of course, this verse affirms our new identity in Christ. The context of this verse talks about what God has done for us because of our union with Christ. He has raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because of His great mercy and love, even though we were by nature dead in our sins and transgressions. He made us alive in Christ! In other words, God did not just forgive us and reconcile us with Himself through Christ. He also gave us a new identity as children of God, holy and blameless in His sight. All of these spiritual blessings, as Paul asserts, are by grace through faith. It is not because of our goodness or our good works so that we cannot boast about it. Of course, that is something to celebrate and praise God for (Ephesians 1:3).
But let us not forget what the apostle Paul is saying here as well. Our salvation in Christ does not end with our reconciliation and identification with Christ. It continues on with our transformation and vocation in Christ. Because we are now in Christ, we are a new creation. We can now fulfill our original calling which is to be the image of God, representing and reflecting His glory on earth while relying on the powers of the kingdom of the heavens through the Holy Spirit. This is still the work of God, for salvation is of God from beginning to end, and it is also by faith all throughout. Thus, we are called by God to keep in step in the Spirit because we live in the Spirit. That is our new operating system. By doing so, we will be transformed into the very character of Christ day by day until we become partakers of His divine nature. We are God's workmanship for this very reason, so that in and through Him, we will be able to live as Jesus lived if He was us in our unique context and calling. We will be able to become like Him and do His work as His grace continues to work in us.
Our salvation is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that we must focus on with utmost seriousness, i.e., with fear and trembling (as Paul puts it in Philippians 2:12-13). We must not become lax or lukewarm in the process because God is not done with us. We must not become worldly, pursuing what everybody says is the "good life". Our focus must be on Jesus and we must keep faith until the end, relying on Him all throughout. Keep asking Him to help you discover your unique part in His kingdom agenda. You are not here to pursue joy and happiness, even though that would be the most likely result of walking with Him, together with suffering. Discover your grace gifts and listen to the affirmation of those around you. Be sober minded in your self-assessment. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do the good works that He wants you to do, without fear or anxiety about the possible outcomes. Your rewards will come from God, not people. Stay faithful in spite of suffering or rejection. Every follower of Christ is called to serve Him in some kind of ministry whether inside or outside the church premises. Each one must do the work of God assigned to him or her by God. If you are not doing so, you are not cooperating with God in His saving grace for your life. If you don't believe this, God will make it clear to you.