God’s Masterpiece

Scripture – Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

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.

Devotion

How do you describe yourself? What nouns would you use to say “This is who I am”?

Ephesians 2:10 will help you answer that question in a stunning way. The first phrase of this verse reads, “For we are God’s handiwork” (NIV). Other translations say that we are God’s “accomplishment” (CEB), “workmanship” (ESV, KJV), or “masterpiece” (NLT). The Greek original uses the word poiema, which is related etymologically to our word “poem.” Poiema had a broad range of meaning in Greek, referring to many things made by a creative agent—usually a human being.

Ephesians 2:10 is not claiming that our physical existence depends on God’s creative power, though this is ultimately true. Rather, this verse emphasizes our new identity in Christ. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:17 reveals, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we respond to God’s grace through faith, not only do we receive assurance of our future salvation, but also we are remade by God’s creative power. We become new people, even though we continue to live in our old bodies. In this sense, we are God’s handiwork, accomplishment, workmanship, or masterpiece.

“Masterpiece,” the word found in the New Living Translation, might exaggerate slightly the sense of the Greek original. But “masterpiece” rightly conveys something about the nature of our new creation in Christ. After all, God doesn’t make damaged goods or mediocre products. Whatever God makes could, in a real sense, be called a masterpiece.

I realize that you might not feel like a masterpiece today. You may be feeling like something far less than this. Perhaps you had a hard time getting out of bed this morning, thinking about the work that you’d be doing today. Perhaps your body is aging and you’re struggling to do things you once did without a second thought. Or you may be sensing your moral and relational failures. Or, well, you name it. You wonder: How could I possibly be God’s masterpiece?

The answer is that you are a masterpiece, not because of how healthy you are, how accomplished you are, or how moral you are. You are a masterpiece because of what God has done in your life by his grace. You have been newly and wonderfully created through Christ, so that you might live in relationship with God and for his glory. This is true no matter how you might be feeling today. In Christ, you are God’s masterpiece.

Reflect

How do you respond to the idea that you are God’s handiwork, accomplishment, workmanship, or masterpiece?

Do you ever think of yourself in this way?

If you were to do so, what difference might it make in the way you live?

Act

It probably isn’t a good idea for you to wear a nametag at work today that says, “God’s Masterpiece.” Your colleagues may not appreciate this. But, as you go through the day, pause to remember that you have indeed been created anew in Christ. Let this truth affect how you think, feel, and act. But leave the nametag at home.

Pray

Gracious God, this news is almost too good to be true. I am your handiwork, even your masterpiece? Amazing!

Almost too amazing for me to believe. I am so aware, Lord, of my foibles and failings. My body is far from an obvious physical masterpiece. And you know the ways I miss the mark in my actions and in my soul.

Yet, I am your handiwork, even your masterpiece, not because of my effort, but because of your grace. How I thank you for what you have begun to do in me through Christ. May I see myself in light of this truth. May I live each day embodying this truth. May I be your masterpiece today, Lord, in all I do, think, say, and feel. To you be all the glory! Amen.

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Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the High Calling Archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Potter and the Clay