I AM: A Masterpiece Week Five - Day Three

By Central Women

Today, let’s look at the last phrase of our theme verse. We know we are God’s masterpiece and He created us anew in Christ…but why?

Ephesians 2:10 gives us a glimpse… “so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

I am a planner. Everything I do is planned…there is not a lot of spontaneity in this girl! But when my plans fall apart, sometimes I fall apart too. This verse gives me great peace knowing that God has a plan, and it is good. He planned long ago for me to do good things for Him.

So often we get tied up in our plans, our life, our schedule. Yet part of clothing ourselves in Christ is putting on His plan and joining His work. When we become Jesus followers, we step into the larger plan of God. He desires to reconcile all people to Himself, and He wants to use us to make that happen. It is crazy that the Master Artist often uses us to fulfill His work in the world.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

Not only does He promise to work in us, He also promises that, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:7)

Even when my plans seem to fall apart, God’s perfect plan continues.

He promises to carry the work on until completion when Jesus comes back. We can stop being scared that we are going to screw up God’s plans. We won’t. If we mess things up, His plans still move forward. If we are disobedient and choose not to do what the Lord asks, His plans still move forward. We need to get our brains around the fact that God’s will and works do not revolve around us. God is moving and working regardless of any circumstances going on in my life. But He wants us to join Him in those works.

When we became Jesus followers and God began creating the art of our lives, He created us as a new creation, SO we can do the good things He planned for us to do. That little word “SO” has a big impact. It gives us a purpose. It gives life meaning, yet we must choose to walk in that path.

The good works we perform are not what bring us salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Look again at the order of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God gives us salvation through Jesus and then uses us to do good things.

Are we willing to put on Jesus and allow Him to clothe us so that we can do those good works to bring Him glory? When we do, there is a lovely promise in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Reflect

What good things has God planned for you to do? Name several. If you are unsure, ask God to show you.

What hinders you from stepping into God’s plan and doing the things He has called you to do?

Lord, thank You that You have the plans already made; there are good works ready for us to do for You. Please help me to set aside my own agenda to follow what You want me to do today. Please continue to show me my sin so that I may lay that at the foot of the cross and You would continue to make me new each day. May the work of my hands and words from my mouth bring You glory and point others to your saving grace.