Queen of the Arts and Crafts

 

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good work…”

—Ephesians 2:10a

I know someone, a very clever someone, who ought to have the words “Queen of the Arts and Crafts” emblazoned on a sash that she would wear over her shoulder.

Whatever she decides to pursue in the field of arts and crafts she does very well and with great style. Each new work of art she creates shows great skill and represents her well as her handiwork.

It’s comforting to know there are people who strive to live well-accomplished lives.

The Apostle Paul talks about how to live such a life. But in his example it takes more “surrender” than it takes determined effort.

Notice what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-10:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

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.

Dear ones, because we are God’s handiwork, fashioned in the image of Christ our Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, let us determine to live lives of obedience. In this age of disobedience, let us live counter-culturally to the glory of God.

 

_{Copyright © 2014 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}