We are His Workmanship

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Eph 2:10). Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus regarding the salvation they had received by God’s grace (Eph 2:1–10). From a state of being dead in sin (Eph 2:1–3), these believers were made alive in Christ (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13). It was all God. It was all grace.

When God, the Potter, decides to make something of worthless clay (Jer 18:1–6; Rom 9:21), it is a display of mercy toward His chosen vessels of mercy (Rom 9:15, 18, 23). Salvation is the salvaging of ruined souls. It is the reconfiguration of a marred visage. God is restoring what has been ruined by man’s fall into sin (Gen 3; Rom 3:23; 5:12). It is the reinstitution of purposefulness for the recipients of His saving grace.

When a lump of clay is placed on the potter’s wheel, it is nothing until the potter crafts what he previously conceived. God’s design in salvation is for His chosen people to be crafted into conformity to Christ Jesus (Rom 8:29). Jesus, the Son of God, was sent from heaven into the world to perform many good works (Jn 10:32). His good works as a prophet were followed by His good works as a priest. Today, His good work continues in His role as King over all (Ps 110:1; Acts 10:36; 1 Tim 6:15).

God chose a people for salvation before the ruination of humanity occurred (Eph 1:4–5). Salvation was personal (Rev 13:8; 17:8), for the Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim 2:19). The place of re-formation is “in Christ.”

We are in Him by His doing (1 Cor 1:30), and by His Spirit, He is in us (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). God’s workroom in the world is the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). For a Christian to claim to be a Christian and not be intimately connected with the local church is erroneous.

The church is the first place of our good works (Rom 16:1). Paul recognized his fellow workers (13x). Christians receive the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, by grace (Acts 2:38; 10:45). The Holy Spirit then gives gifts to the people He indwells (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4; Heb 2:4). These gifts are given by grace for the building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12, 16).

Christ is the master builder (Heb 3:4). He is the architect and builder of all things (Heb 11:10). Christians are merely instruments in His employ. We are common jars of clay designed for His purposes. He makes us what we are, and He uses us for what He wills.

Today is trash day at my house. I have chosen some items for permanent separation. It is my will and good pleasure to discard these items, even as it is my will and good pleasure to keep certain items. God has made a promise to never discard that which He paid a costly price to redeem. Although a common clay pot has little intrinsic value, it was made, and it was purchased for a particular purpose. The purpose may not be grand in the eyes of the world, but it plays its part in the predetermined plan of God (Acts 2:23).

A clay pot, being conformed into Christ, while in Christ, is being sanctified (Rom 15:16; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2). The process of making something holy to the Lord is a work of the Holy Spirit. It is a separation from common use (1 Pet 1:16), and it is a cleansing process (Eph 5:26).

Sanctification is a work of the Spirit for the glory of God. He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6). Here is the blessed assurance of God’s promise to His people (1 Jn 5:11–13). That which He predestined to glory will be glorified (Rom 8:30).

You must never fret the volume, nor the quality, of your good works. We tell of His good works (Ps 73:28). Even Jesus’ good works were from the Father (Jn 10:32). We are spurred on to love and good works (Heb 10:24), by Jesus (Mt 5:16) and Paul (1 Tim 6:18). Our faith is even known by our good works (Jas 2:14–26). Still, it is God working (Phil 2:13) and working it all together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).

The devil wrongly accuses you in those measurements. Rather, your task is to trust, in your current circumstances, that God’s promises are still true. He is doing all His holy will (Eph 1:11), according to His eternal purposes carried out in Christ Jesus (Eph 3:11). Consider the people and the recognition in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11. Rahab is there along with Noah and Moses!

Faith is only the beginning of His good works (Rom 12:3; Gal 3:22; Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29). It is the fuel for further good works. Grace tells us we are in the good hands of God. He will accomplish what concerns you (Ps 57:2; 138:8). It is His will and good pleasure being accomplished in you, as much as through you (Phil 2:13). In other words, when you think it is about what and how much is accomplished through you, His still small voice assures you it is more about His crafting you than about the volume of your usefulness.

The apostle Paul was forced to give an account of his many good works, but he also mentioned the “grace given” to him more than any other New Testament writer (13x). God had prepared good works for Paul to walk in, and by the grace of God, Paul walked in them. It was the love of Christ constraining Paul to press on in the ministry entrusted to him (1 Cor 9:17; Phil 3:14). He labored more than all the rest because of the measure of grace given to him.

Therefore, let your prayer be for God to have His way with you. Give yourself, first, to the Lord each day. Rest in His grace and providence, in which He will work all things together for good for you (Rom 8:28). Keep your eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of your faith (Heb 12:2). Acknowledge Him in everything, and He will direct your steps (Prv 3:5–6), as you walk in the good works prepared especially for you. As you see Him work His plan in and through you, then give thanks and bear witness of Him (Acts 1:8; 1 Thess 5:17–18). In this, you will shine as His workmanship, just as He intended.

David E. Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

May 13, 2021