The Work Of The Master

The masterpiece doesn't get to take any credit for what it is.

Ephesians 2:4-10  But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much,  5  that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)

6  For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  7  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8  God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  9  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

10  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.

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A masterpiece doesn't happen by accident, it takes forethought and planning to make it happen, most of the time there is a sketch or a rough draft or in the case of a building project there is a blueprint. The number one artist, designer and creator of all time was no different, he had a plan and a purpose, he didn't create just to pass the time and his creation didn't turn out so awesome by accident.

mas·ter·piece - Noun /ˈmastərˌpēs/  A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.

God had a plan for each of us when he created us and he had a plan to provide for our deepest need. God knew that we would not be a beautiful masterpiece for very long he knew that we would need to be restored to the beautiful condition that we were in when we were brand new and still living in the Garden of Eden.

God's plan to help us wasn't forced on us, out of his mercy and love, he put the plan in place and made it available to us but he gives us the choice. I can continue to be a dead man with very limited potential if that's what I want to be or I can have a new birth to a life that has the greatest rewards.

I am his prized possession.
James 1:18  He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.

It was God's choice, undeserved by us, to offer his gracious gift to us and make us his special masterpiece and a prized possession. The masterpiece didn't do anything to become a masterpiece, the artistry of our creator made us what we are, the best that I could do isn't anywhere close to measuring up, God's work in my life is the only way that I have become so valuable.

Who does God say that I am? I am so valuable to God that he calls me his child and his friend (John 1:11, 15:15), he wants me to live life to the max (John 10:10), and my life is a sweet aroma to him  (2 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 5:2). His opinion of me is what really matters!

Thank you Lord for making me a valuable masterpiece that you desire to have.