Since we are the very
workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus for good
works, it is imperative that we yield to His
creative hand, and allow Him to finish the work He
has begun.
With the new birth God has
commenced the character of His people fashioning us
in the likeness of His Son. No human mind could ever
conceive or fully comprehend the full design of
God’s infinite wisdom and love. We will have to wait
until that day when Christ comes, or when we meet
Him in death, to know His perfect character. We
really are even right now the children of God, but
“it has not appeared as yet what we shall be." But
we know “when He appears, we shall be like Him,
because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John
3:2).
We are loved by God and have
been born again; we are now His children. But even
now, it has not been revealed clearly to us what we
shall be. However, we know absolutely that whenever
He comes we shall see Him just as He is. And
everyone who has this hope continually set on Him is
constantly purifying himself just as He is pure.
The present reality is we are
God’s children because of the new birth and adoption
into the family of God. He wants us to spend
eternity with Him. Only a person who knows God
through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
knows what it means to be a child of God.
When Jesus Christ comes a
second time all true believers in Him will become
like Him (Phil. 3:20-21). They will have new,
glorified, resurrected bodies adapted for heaven.
Such a hope in His coming leads to a life of
personal integrity. We want to live lives that are
pleasing to Him.
“Things which eye has not seen
and ear has not heard, and which have not entered
into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for
those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9; cf. Isa. 64:4).
We do not know the complete
details of this “likeness of God.” But we do know
that we will be like Christ because our destiny and
glory is to be like Him (Rom. 8:29). We will be like
Jesus who is like God (2 Cor. 4:6).
Since we do not know the final
outcome of our redemption, who are we to dictate to
God what we want to become? He is the Potter; we are
the clay. Let’s let Him choose the outcome. Let’s
let the Author of our salvation also be the
Finisher.
Pop psychology, self-help
philosophies, new age movements lead many astray
with their secular humanism (1 John 3:10). Because
they can only reform depraved man they cannot do
what God alone can do through His Holy Spirit (Eph.
4:24; Heb. 12:10). We, on the other hand, are “made
partakers of His divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:9; Eph.
4:13).
God’s workmanship is to
“present every man complete in Christ” (Col. 1:28;
cf. Eph. 4:13).
Who am I to impose on God’s
handiwork my flaws of humanism when He has a greater
goal in mind? How much better it is to come to Him,
and yield to the Holy Spirit to apply God’s truth to
our lives.
We were designed to be like
Christ. Therefore, it is in our best interest to
find out in God’s Word what He is like and yield to
the divine Potter. “Not I, but Christ.” Not man
created in man’s selfish, depraved, sinful image,
but in all the pure character and holiness of
Christ.
A. T. Robertson said, “The
transforming power of the vision of Christ (1 Cor.
13:12) is the consummation of the glorious process
begun at the new birth (2 Cor. 3:18).”
C. H. Spurgeon wisely wrote:
“That which is your own work, you may well blush to
own; that which is the devil’s work, you are bound
to detest; but that which is the work of the Holy
Spirit in you, will bear inspection, and no guilty
fear should cause you to conceal it. Let your
meekness, your kindness, your uprighteousness, your
truth, your purity appear unto all men. Never let it
be a question whether you are a Christian.”
You are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works. Let Him
finish His product. He does not make junk. His work
is always perfect and it is always beautiful in His
eyes. Why settle for second best by choosing for
yourself? We are God’s workmanship and that always
means He gives us His very best. What is there that
God cannot do for you far better than you can ever
do for yourself?
“We are His workmanship created
in Christ for good works.” Don’t mar His new
creation.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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