GOD’S WORKMANSHIP

God is an artisan and you are His masterpiece!

While we explored Ephesians 2:10 last week, I am impressed with the need to focus a little more attention on our identity as the Heavenly Father’s WORKMANSHIP.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…” ~ Ephesians 2:10

The Greek word for workmanship is poiēma from which we get our English word poem or poetry. But Poiēma’s meaning is much broader than poetry. It gleans artistic meaning from the word and demonstrates the genius artistry and creative skill with which the Father created us in Jesus. You are the poem God recites, the masterpiece He paints, the song He loves to sing!

You are God’s custom-designed, one-of-a-kind, priceless creation made with precision, skill, and artistic creativity…

Poiēma is used one other time in the Bible’s new testament – Romans 1:20:

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made (poiēma), so that they are without excuse.” (NASB)

The universe is God’s WORKMANSHIP. And what does His creation reveal? The Father’s invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature. Creation shows the greatness and the character of God. It displays His magnitude and majesty!

I think it’s what I love most about nature and wildlife photography: every elk, bear, butterfly, flower, stream, mountain peak, rabbit, starry sky, and thundering surf, in my camera’s viewfinder, is an encounter with the presence of the incomprehensible Creator Jesus.

The workmanship of God is inexhaustible and unending. And I am confident that this is true about His work in you!

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” ~ Philippians 1:6

This is what I want you to hear today: You are God’s custom-designed, one-of-a-kind, priceless creation made with precision, skill, and artistic creativity; designed and developed in the mind of God Himself; durable, delicate, functional, beautiful, venerable, valuable; constructed in the image of God and remade in the likeness of Jesus; holy, righteous, set apart, and worthy!

It is important to value yourself. Psychology tells you to do this by adjusting your opinions and perceptions about yourself.

But the truth is: IN JESUS I don’t get to have my own opinion about my value. God already established my value IN JESUS and declared it. His authoritative opinion is the only one that matters.

So, you and I don’t have the luxury of believing we’re “_____” (whatever the word is you use when you put yourself down). To belittle one’s value in self-talk is not only a lie, but also a prideful declaration of your authority on “all things you”. It’s an exaltation of your thinking above the opinions and declaration of God. It’s an insult to the creative genius of the ONE who made you with thoughtful, loving, intimate care – in His IMAGE. It’s a devaluation of the cost Jesus paid at the cross by which God remade you in Christ Jesus.

I’m guilty of this. But the revealed unchangeable truth causes repentance. And repentance is exercised when opinions align with God’s, and we accept and embrace the truth: I am WHO HE SAYS I AM.

The confidence that comes with this truth empowers you to walk in the “good works” for which you were created.

Sometimes I get jealous when I look across the fence at the person on the other side.

“I want to do what they’re doing.”

“They must be extra special. I mean, look at their gifts and talents.”

“Why can’t I be like them?”

Every time Tom is in my viewfinder, I laugh in delight and awe! God is so creative!

Here is some good news: you are created in JESUS – uniquely you. God is working and willing in you for His good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight (Philippians 2:12).

“…as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (see Romans 12:3-8)

So, DO WHO you are. Not who your neighbor seems to be. Not who you think you should be. Not who you wish you could be. BE YOU IN JESUS. Don’t apologize for it and don’t feel guilty about it. And don’t feel inferior by it.

And if you don’t know yet what makes you tick, explore it. Grow in it. Ask for God’s revelation about yourself. Ask your trusted others what they see in you. “Doing” or “practicing” is one of the best ways to discover your unique features. Act, by stepping into the works before you today, now, in the NAME of Jesus, in ONENESS with Jesus, in PARTNERSHIP with Jesus. Uncover and discover His power at work within you to cause you to walk in the fullness of WHO He created you to be on the path upon which you have been set.

As such, you will fulfill your unique function in the entire Body of Christ.

You are YOU at this very moment. At this time in history. In your country and neighborhood. In your family by blood or by choice. You are specially designed for NOW. You are unique to NOW. Not random, forgotten, overlooked, unwanted, and not a mistake! You are the CREATOR’S Masterpiece for right NOW. Your life has intrinsic VALUE NOW.

Yes, you are being shaped. And there is more. But the more to come is formed from walking in WHO you are NOW.

You are His masterpiece and it’s my honor to know you.

“I Am”

Written by Lauren Daigle and performed by Genavieve Linkowski

“Uniquely You”