His Workmanship

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

When I think about good workmanship, I consider the finished product and the expertise of the one doing the work.

You can always tell the difference between the work of a master of his trade and a novice. An expert takes time to do his craft well. The detail is exceptional, the quality is top notch, the piece created is sturdy, and you typically have to pay more for it’s increased value.

So it is in God’s Kingdom, that which He has formed reveals His expertise, His wisdom, His love, and His purpose.

God’s workmanship reveals His mastery.

If I was walking in the deep woods and came upon a painting, I wouldn’t be amazed by thinking the artwork evolved by itself, I would know some artist left a painting here before me. Never mind the fact that it would be weird to find a painting in the woods, the point is, we have enough common sense to recognize influence, creativity, and order when we see it.

A painting must have a painter.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:20

The cosmos reveals the magnitude of God’s power, the earth reflects the untold imagination and creativity of His being, while the things which are not seen lie hidden either for His enjoyment or yet to be discovered.

Jeremiah 51:15  "He made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding."

As mankind grows more adept at visualizing creation, the magnitude of creation’s magnificence shines ever more brightly—–So it is with people, the more we see God’s hand move in our lives, the more we appreciate the mastery of His touch.

Take a visit to the Louvre in Paris, France and you will behold the mastery of men. From sculptures to paintings, the exhibits detail some of the most crafted masters of the era. People will stand for hours gazing at the items, examining every detail of brush and stroke, the fine details of shape and form, many have committed their lives and attained PhD’s in fields that study these works in detail.

Did you know that you are God’s masterpiece?

The form by which you were created is beyond anyone in science can create. They have attempted to replicate human form with robots or growing tissue in petri dishes but those are only shadows of your form. That would be like me trying to paint the Mona Lisa as a perfect replicate…the results would be laughable.

You have been knit together in a way that exceeds even medical sciences ability to understand, your form exceeds even that which is fully testable.

Mark 10:6 “However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.'”

God differentiated gender for a purpose….

God made you a man or woman for a very good reason. No matter how someone may treat you, the ways people try to blend genders into different roles, your form was made to glorify God. Some cultures may treat women as inferior to men, but in God’s Kingdom we are all equals. Men and women see the world a little differently, react differently and each person brings a unique attribute that was designed by a perfect designer. Don’t let anyone diminish your value based off your God given gender.

Colossians 1:6 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

Each person is created in His image….

You look like you do because that is how God wanted you to look! You have the personality you do because that was how God wanted you to express yourself. As we submit to His Spirit in our lives, He gives us each unique gifts by His Spirit to be exercised as we walk obediently in Him.

The workmanship of God not only manifests itself physically but likewise spiritually. Look at the aspects of God’s spiritual workmanship and peer into His brilliance.

Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

1. God’s continued work in us is a process of renewal.

The effects of sin are devastating. The corruption of character, the separation from God’s presence, and the darkness of walking according to worldly wisdom leads to spiritual ruin. When a person makes a decision for Christ, the Holy Spirit begins renewing their mind, changing their heart, and giving a perspective that is Christlike.

Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

2. Being made into God’s image changes perspective.

The painting honors the painter by the image that it bears. We likewise honor our Creator by bearing the image of Christ. When others recognize God’s handiwork in us, it brings glory to His name. God’s work in us is very special to behold. When I see a man or woman of God who has been transformed by His power, it brings so much joy—I want to come alongside them and serve with them. The faithfulness of God in them resonates with the Spirit of God in me and I am compelled to worship God more—-they become an inspiration.

Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

3. God works in us for His glory.

God deserves to be glorified. We have no idea the magnitude of His work, not only apart from us but also in us. The full extent of our understanding won’t be realized until we know Him in full, then we will see why He is so deserving. We will want to glorify Him more when see and know Him without the hindrance of our spiritual nearsightedness.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

4. Live faithfully to His calling.

The Father loves His people and so gave to us His Son. When the Father calls someone, He does so for a purpose—He is calling that person into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus deserves great honor for redeeming mankind from sin. He provided a doorway to the Father for all who believe. Obedience in following God’s leading guides us in holiness and leads us in honor of the King.

Ephesians 1:4 “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love”

5. God’s workmanship was ordained from the beginning of Creation.

The Lord knows the entirety of time. From the beginning to the end, it was all before Him. Because He exists apart from the constraints of time, He is not bound by its conditions. His church is His priority. He is making His church into a work of art and He will present her at His coronation. She will bring glory, honor, and praise to Him in that day and it will be a moment no one will want to miss.

2 Timothy 2:21 “So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.”

6. We must walk in Faithfulness.

We not only submit to God’s leading in obedience, but we walk in accordance with His law. God’s moral law is the standard of righteousness He has set before us. The responsibility for being found faithful is given to us, we have decision to make each and every day. We have the power supplied, now we must abide in it. The product of faithfulness is God’s workmanship of transforming us into His image. The Spirit brings reminders to us when we falter, this correction is the loving response by God in our lives.

Titus 2:14 “He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

7. God is able to complete His work in us because of the work Jesus did on the cross.

Jesus is responsible for everything that is good in our lives. He is making us continually into His image, the image that He perfected by His life. One day, when we stand before the throne, the crowns we receive will be laid at His feet. Jesus is deserving of all honor and glory forever.

Are you being made by Him? If not, your missing out on the workmanship of the Master. He works in you because He loves you and the end result will be one of a work of art. You are His tapestry, be patient, allow His work to be completed and know that when you are presented before the Father you will be perfect as He is perfect.