In 2003 my church put together a page-a-day devotional booklet for the month of September. Each entry was written by a member/regular attender of the church. Here’s the one I wrote.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Eph 2:10 (NIV)
Our workmanship takes many forms, from awe-inspiring buildings to individually made Pinewood Derby cars, carefully constructed for the day of the big race.
In today’s verse we read about God’s workmanship, which is us, the church! Unlike human workmanship, God’s is always perfect. I like the New Living Translation, which calls us “God’s masterpiece”. If you read from the beginning of Ephesians you’ll see all the wonderful things God has done in us to create His masterpiece.
When my son completed his Pinewood Derby car recently, that was just the beginning. He built it for a purpose and he wanted to see it ‘in action’. God’s purpose for His workmanship, the church, is that we do good works. He has broken the power of cancelled sin in our lives by making us new creations in Jesus. Now we’re able to do His good works in the power of His Spirit and He wants to see us ‘in action’!
In His complete provision for us, God has already prepared the good works He wants us to do. As we go through our day today He’ll give us opportunities to do them. For example, maybe He’ll send us someone to comfort or encourage with His love or someone whose practical need we can meet.
One of the challenges for us is that although God knows what good works He’s prepared for us, we don’t. Some of the opportunities He brings us may catch us unawares in a moment of weakness. We may “pass by on the other side”, because we feel too busy or too tired to get involved.
Yet, if we will make ourselves available and respond whenever God calls us to do a good work, we’ll have the joy of bearing fruit that lasts, for His glory.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making such complete provision for us to do good works for you. Please do whatever it takes to get Your workmanship ‘in action’ today. Open our eyes to see what you want us to do and our hearts so we’re willing to do it. We ask this in Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen.
For Further Thought:
- From Ephesians 2:1-10, what does Paul mean by calling us God’s workmanship?
- When God shows you a good work He’s prepared for you to do today, how will you respond?