“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
God’s Poem, His Work of Art
The Greek word for workmanship is poiema. This is where we get our English word poem. Workmanship refers to more than the product of creation. It also refers to the degree of skill with which the product is made. We are God’s poem, His work of art.
In the NASB it says, “For we are His workmanship”. Other Bible versions like our main scripture use words such as masterpiece or handiwork instead of workmanship. In other words, we are the result of God’s creative, redemptive and sanctifying work. We belong to Him.
Created in Christ Jesus
Everything God creates is of value, yet nothing in creation can compare to His work of art in creating mankind. God said, “Let there be,” for six days and it was so. Then on the sixth day, He did something completely different. He reached down into the dirt and formed man. Then by breathing “into man’s nostrils the breath of life, His very own breath, man became a living soul”. That breath brought God’s own life into His masterpiece.
Sanctified by Christ Jesus
We are God’s masterpiece in that He sanctified us and fit us for service. We may find imperfections in ourselves, but the clay can’t say to the potter, “Why did you make me like this?”. God knows what He’s doing. He is waiting for us to place ourselves in His hands.
Jesus has a perfect plan for each of us, but He does not force that plan on us. We always have a choice (Deuteronomy 30:19) and He promises to finish the plan that He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
God Is the Ultimate Planner
God is into preparation (Jeremiah 29:11). The Greek word for prepared is “pretoimazo” which means to prepare before, or to make ready beforehand. God made everything before He made Adam.
When I was a student at Charis Bible College we had a saying, “preparation time is never wasted time”. God is preparing us for what He has called us to do. Sometimes we may want to bypass the preparation time and get to the end goal. But it is better that we do not rush the preparation process. Rushing it may lead to failure.
There are many things in life that we must prepare for. The call of God on our life is no different. If you don’t know what you are called to do, pray about it and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. God has a unique calling just for you. What He has called you to do, has been uniquely designed. It will fit you just like a glove or a custom-made outfit. Not too tight or uncomfortable in any way. You will have all the gifts, talents and abilities to carry out God’s plan for your life.
Walk in Them…
We are to walk into our calling by faith one step at a time. We may not know right away what God has called us to do. Whether it is to be a singer, evangelist, teacher or a bank auditor. The call shouldn’t be difficult and burdensome. The Bible tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). If you are walking in a calling that is heavy and weighing you down, perhaps the custom-made outfit that you are wearing wasn’t made for you but for someone else.
The Potter Can be Trusted
God is the Potter over the clay. As the Potter He can be trusted for He is good and does good (Psalm 119:68). In His hands the ordinary becomes extraordinary!
Life can feel like a lump of clay. Sometimes we may even find ourselves unable to see beyond our everyday failures, to look at our God-given potential. We might feel helpless, directionless and hopeless, just spinning around on this wheel called life.
Thank you, Jesus, that we have a Potter and we are not Him. He is the one that shapes, molds and brings meaning and purpose to life.
A violin can be used to make music, but the extravagant price of a Stradivarius is based upon its maker. Any painting is basically paint on a canvas, but when it bears the name of Da Vinci, or Rembrandt, few can afford it!
Well, the same has been said about you. You are truly a masterpiece, not because you are better and more valued than others, but because of the One Who made you. God’s masterpiece is, YOU!
Scriptures to Consider
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