I’m still studying Galatians. This morning, Keller included this (below quote) in the study section for Galatians 1:10-2:21. (I really need to get a link up for this study…) Why include a section of Ephesians if the study is on Galatians? Keller is displaying Paul’s role as an apostle. In the above mentioned Galatians section, Paul has just revealed his story – the why, how, and when he became a believer. In Christ, there is a distinct purpose and call on his life. Just as there is in ours who believe!

One of the glories of Christianity is the assurance that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”(Ephesians 2:10). This statement by Paul that we are “created” does not simply refer to our physical formation, as God has, of course, created all human beings (see Genesis1:26-27). Rather, Paul is talking about being “created in Christ.” It means that every person who believes in Christ does so because she or he is the object of a process of God’s “spiritual creation.” The word workmanship is very important; it is the Greek word poema from which we get our word “poem.” It means that every believer is essentially a work of art — God’s art! Consider how artists work, whether they are writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, etc. They labor long and hard and with the utmost care and detailed attention. Sometimes they do very little, only a stroke here or there. Other times they make massive changes. But always they seek to bring the raw material into line with an artistic vision. Thus Paul is telling us that God labors over all believers throughout our entire lives, intervening and guiding and shaping us to bring us into line with a vision he has for us. This is mentioned also in Ephesians 2:10 — “created to… good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Thus, God has a particular set of “good works” for us to do, for which he prepares us our whole lives.

It is therefore of utmost importance to look back on our lives and see everything that has happened through this grid, namely that:

  • God has been at work through the various influences of our lives— “created in Christ.” All of our experiences and troubles and our family and friends must be seen as the instruments of an artist used to mold and shape us. He has been at work in all of our lives!
  • God has been at work to make us something beautiful — “workmanship.” God is out to make our beings something great—to give us characters of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, integrity, humility and self-control.
  • God has been at work to make us something useful — “good works… prepared beforehand.” God is also out to make our doings something great — to make us helpful and able to serve others in special ways.
As I read this, I thought of two very specific people. One is a friend I know who is pregnant with her fifth child. What a vision Christ has for her, to mold her and shape her, and to “make her doings something great.” With three little ones myself, it is a comfort to know that there is always hope in the midst of seeming chaos – mainly that God drew out with his own hand each scene, each day, each moment. And he will not let us go. Our life is designed through eternity. What hope!
Another friend is a wealth of wisdom. She seeks the Lord, she pursues people, she prays. It is a beautiful thing to look on her life and reflect on how God created it. More than anything, I sense a steady peace about her that constantly draws me to Christ.
Thinking about these two women, and then thinking about how God has designed my own life…..it’s so encouraging! Christ is ever at work, and it looks different for everyone. These past few weeks have been up and down for me. I’ve been fighting God’s artistry like nothing else. I’ve wanted something different than what he’s offering. I’ve wanted certain people to change immediately and I’ve wanted different circumstances. Hear the common denominator? I, I, I!!! Really, life is the way it is because “God labors over all believers throughout our entire lives, intervening and guiding and shaping us to bring us into line with a vision he has for us.”
My desire this morning is to submit to God’s vision for me. And to believe he has one. And to believe his way is better and sweeter and greater than anything I could think up on my own. There is no artist like the one who created the mountains, the animals, and the sea. May I look only to today, his vision for me today, and believe that the days following will build on today. May I hope in his artistry.
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