As I write this devotional, I confess that I have a cluttered mind. A loved one is going through the process to determine if they have a critical medical condition. I learned of this today.
Also, today, I was asked to consider taking on a voluntary responsibility that was not on my radar. And now I sit here trying to discern what God would have me share with you when what I want is to hear from God about my concerns.
Perhaps that’s too transparent, but it’s the truth.
Don’t click off this page just yet!
I want to take a moment and consider Ephesians 2:10 (ESV):
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The specific word rendered “workmanship” is only used in one other place and that’s in Romans 1:20, where it is applied to the “works” of God in creation. Verse ten’s perimeter is people – the design and manufacturing of Adam and his progeny is the perimeter of “workmanship.”
Now, within that border (i.e., perimeter), when we were saved, we each became a new creation crafted in Christ Jesus. We were jars of clay before we were saved and we are jars of clay after we are saved. However, for each of us, our spirit is “made alive” inside our clay jar when we become a new creation.
Formed and Born in Jesus!
Now this new creation is formed and born in Jesus; this is not about tangible things but it refers to the Spirit. So, what I’m saying is that your spirit became alive in you when you became a new creation. The same was true for me.
And for each of us, our new creation was built to express the fruit of the Spirit. The characteristics of this fruit are defined in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control [in an ever increasing measure]; against such things there is no law.
Now Ephesians 2:10 speaks of the work we are to do. Notice the “walk in them.” The work being referenced is something in which we can walk, like a new pair of shoes.
New Shoes!
These “new shoes” refer to the character of a new creation person. A new creation person should express a new character as defined in Philippians 4:8-9: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
It seems that there is a lot wrapped up in the twenty-two words of Ephesians 2:10. The good news is that, as a Christian, you were made for this. Jesus and you can do this!
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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