No, they arent. We earn nothing.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Things that are different...are not the same.
This...
Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
...differs from this...
1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
Saved not by works, but by grace through faith.. is not the same as saved unto those works under grace which God before planned that we should walk in, by faith.
A workmanship is towards a function.
In this case, towards those good works which God prepared before, or determined, that we should walk in, as His workmanship in His Son.
The little guy in the following passage, was eternal life Himself.
Nevertheless - "wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" - Luke 2:49.
In His case, though - "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." - Hebrews 10:7.
In ours, in Him?
Not of works for salvation, rather unto those good works the salvation is for, to begin with.
"...we are His workmanship."
To what intent or purpose?
"...created in Christ Jesus" to what intent, or purpose?
"...unto good works..."
What good works might those be?
Those "which God hath beforehand ordained."
Again - to what intent or purpose?
"...that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 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.
He is contrasting between this former life and its' conduct...
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
And the New Life's conduct...
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.
He then goes into various issues having to do with who they had been and why; and what God was now doing, who they now were in that...
He then returns to this issue of those good works that God had planned in eternity, that members of the Body of Christ walk in...
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
He then goes into some things, and then once more returns to this good works as an eternally sealed Body member; that he has been talking about...
Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
He is describing Body Life.
How its' works, or walk in the Lord, operate, and what that looks like.
Obviously, a life-long process...
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
That contrast between each our often tendency, and all this Grace based instruction concerning those good works which God before ordained that Body members should walk in, as members of His Son's Body.
That contrast between the former life, and the new.
Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
had nothing to do with some supposed evidence.
