We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared before hand so we might walk in them.
Let’s break that down:
We
As in the individual as well as the corporate body of Christ. You, me, us, we.
We are
Are is the present plural form of to be. In context, we are to be someone’s, as in ownership.
We are His
We are somebody’s something. To clarify the word His, we are God’s. [Any capital letter in the King James or New King James bible will refer to divinity. I threw that in for free ;)]
We are His workmanship
I don’t know about you, but I don’t speak old English, I speak American. The word workmanship can be better translated masterpiece. The Greek word is poema where we get our English word, poem. But yet that doesn’t give the profound context of US (we) BEING (are) SOMEONE’S (God’s) Masterpiece.
The value of a masterpiece is astronomical. The painting a kindergardener creates isn’t a masterpiece [contrary to the opinion of the child’s mother]. To be deemed a masterpiece a work of art must be appraised and go through rounds and rounds of art criticism. The artist goes back to the painting day after day to make adjustment, scene changes, color mutations. The process is painstaking, the outcome is divine.
To put this in context, Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece sold for 137 million dollars. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! I saw this gold gilded beauty in France and it’s breathtaking. Paul tells the Ephesian church and US that we are valuable, we possess worth, and we are beautiful.
Why? Why are we deemed His masterpiece?
Let’s discuss this. I did the first half of the scripture, you—bible scholar—do the next half. Come on! This is good exercise for your soul. Don’t chicken out. Don’t read everybody else’s answer [that’s cheating]. Just write what you know to be true.
‘Created in Christ Jesus’ – given freedom in Him? Claimed by Him? Ohhh – created as in accepted by God because of Jesus died for us? (we both know I ain’t no Bible scholar!)
‘which God prepared before hand so we might walk in them.’ – He has a plan for each of His masterpiece’s – He has created us worthy of them and able to do them. ‘might’ implies that we have to make the choice to walk in them?
You’re the first one to turn in your homework 😉 You get an A+!
Thank you – I already have a place saved for it among the others 🙂
PS – now that I have my A for effort, can I get the actual answer?
(sorry, I don’t know why I’m incapable of being serious)
So I couldn’t help but to think of Steve Jobs and his product. Now in NO way am I comparing him to Jesus (although there may be some that do) but hear me out for a second. Steve had a vision and a product that he created that would change the way we live. He created his masterpiece. A product that people would not be able to go through the day without. There has been so many amazing things done using his products and masterpiece we call iPods, iPads, macs etc. Along the way there has been test products, hiccups, and bugs but at the end of the day the Apple product and reputation of Mr. Jobs is stellar. The day he died the world mourned.
Now imagine our Lord who created us for a greater purpose. His vision for our lives is more than apps, iTunes and iPads. His hope is that we also would not be able to go through the day with out His leading and purpose. He doesn’t need us, because He is God. But by His Grace He has allowed us to do the good work. We are flawed but still His masterpieces, being tested with bugs and all. He created us so that we can go out in the world to do amazing things, the good works that give Him all glory.
People will remember Mr. Jobs and will forever use his product, he will be remembered as the man that change technology. It is my prayer that the day I return home that people will not remember me for nothing more than Gods product. A product that made a difference for the kingdom of Jesus. Mr. Jobs changed technology to make our lives easier. Jesus changes our heart giving us a hope and a future. This is one app Apple can never created! (by the way I ain’t hating, I’m using a iPad as we speak :))
Wow, you just got deep, Monica! That was brilliant 🙂
Bible scholar I am ot, Jesus has to break the gospel down in parables to me like the disciples.. Hahah
Hey you think I can market a cheesy christian shirt that says ” Steve Jobs changed the future but Jesus gives you a hope and a future”.. Hahah
we are a masterpiece because we are made by THE Creator. we get our value and worth from him and he made us our own way for a reason. he wants to use the ordinary and make us EXTRAordinary for his glory. so glad to see that you are talking about this – my church is doing a series on the ‘art of authenticity’ and this sunday we the topic was ‘you are a masterpiece not a mistake.’ i’ve secretly followed you since this feb. and i love your blog.
I am His masterpiece because through the ministry of Jesus Christ, He completes me and daily restores my heart, soul and mind to what God intended for me… wholeness. Something I could NEVER have done for myself. He is the potter, I am just willing clay.
Thanks for the wonderful post!!
Scrolled straight down as to not cheat….can’t wait to see everyone’s responses after. 😉
“Created in Christ Jesus for God works.”
Previously we read Paul speak of God’s grace. It is nothing that we merit or deserve but rather something God did for us because of his goodness, his love. It is His free gift of grace.
When he created us, he created us with the purpose of knowing, worshiping and bringing glory to Him. When we do good it is because of what He has done and nothing that we have done (except of course, be obedient to Him). We are Christ’s masterpiece because He chooses to use us to do good. He could’ve chosen the angels but he chose US and we are His masterpieces.
We were carefully created/made/put together piece by piece with so much detail by the Creator. THAT just blows my mind. This big mess that is Erica C. Gunderson was created by the Master artist.
This isn’t really related, but the art history major geek in me felt compelled to clarify: The image posted here is misattributed to Gustav Klimt. It’s actually a work by photographer Moises González to emulate Klimt’s Adele Bloch Bauer. The Klimt is one of my favorites too 🙂