Ephesians 2:8–10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The word workmanship in this passage is translated from the Greek poiema, and refers to someone’s work, not in terms of their labor or physical effort, but in terms of their creative product, as in the works of Mozart and the works of Michelangelo.
You are God’s creative masterpiece! You are the impressive result of God’s own plan, design, and handiwork. The Psalmist said it like this, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)
So the next time your self-talk begins to slide down into areas of worthlessness or shame or any form of self loathing, arrest those thoughts immediately! (See yesterday’s devotion.) Declare what is true—“I am God’s workmanship. I am a masterpiece from the mind and hands of the Master of all masters! I am priceless in value.”
You have a purpose! The passage goes on to say that the masterpiece which is you was created for a purpose that God had prepared before he crafted you into existence. So arrest any thoughts of “Why am I even here? I don’t have a purpose.” You would not be here if God did not have a purpose for you to fulfill. The truth is that your life is filled with purpose!
It is by grace…through faith. Although God’s purpose for you was determined before you left your mothers womb, the masterpiece spoken of here is actually referring to the new you—the born again you, created in Christ Jesus! This is another reason to thank God that he drew you to salvation! Had you never surrendered to Christ you would have never come close to discovering and fulfilling your purpose, and becoming his masterpiece.
Grace refers to the part Jesus did. Faith refers to the part you must do. Keep trusting him. Keep moving forward in faith. Keep taking the next step God has for you. Stay in close fellowship and service in your local church. Stay in the Word every day. Pray about everything. God will finish what he started in you!
Today’s focus: Pay attention to your self talk today. Make sure your thoughts about yourself don’t go south, but that they agree with what God’s Word says about you.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you and praise you because I now know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. In Jesus’ name, Amen!