Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith,
and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
A Reflection
You don’t have to be much of an expert to recognise someone’s handiwork, whether it’s a Monet painting, an Agatha Christie novel, or a piece of music by your favourite composer or singer. Having recently spent time with our new-born twin granddaughters, it is not difficult to recognise and marvel at God’s handiwork in the creation of such small perfect individuals.
What is perhaps more difficult is to look at the people around us, or even to look at ourselves in the mirror, and recognise God’s handiwork in what we see. And yet that is what Paul is telling the Christians in Ephesus as he writes to them, ‘You are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.’
How does it change your view of someone if you see them as God’s handiwork?
How does it change your view of yourself if you see yourself as God’s handiwork?
Each one of us is God’s handiwork, created by God for a purpose which he prepared in advance for us to do. God didn’t say to himself, ‘OK, I’ve just created (insert your own name), what can I find for him/her to do?’ No, God saw what was needed in the world at a specific time and place and said, ‘I know, I’ll create (insert your own name), he/she has all the credentials to do that.’
The value of what we do in human terms is not important to God; ultimately we are saved by grace, not by what we do. What is important is that we faithfully do whatever it is that God has given us to do. I don’t think God is impressed by success or status; I think what he is looking for is faithfulness.
A Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that I am your handiwork.
Help me to use the gifts and the time that you have given to me to fulfil your purpose and plans for my life.
Amen
Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord for thee.