"Masterpieces in Progress" (Ephesians 2:4-10)

Introduction

We can carry a whole lot of frustrations and disappointments from an old year into a new year (with others and ourselves), but it's probably a good idea if we don't. When I read the following quote, and reflect on Ephesians 2:4-10, I'm persuaded to leave my frustrations and disappointments behind, and look for the positivity, hope and possibility of the new year. 

Here’s a quote from Rob Wegner:

"Every disciple is a unique, handcrafted-by-God vessel for expressing the fullness of Jesus. Every follower of Jesus is made to be the unique masterpiece God designed them to be within the context of a healthy, biblical community of faith."

Can we think of ourselves as masterpieces in progress? What is our next step toward being so??

We can think of a sportsperson or an artist, and we see their early performances or work, and we can just see how great they are going to become. Australian cricketer Pat Cummins is surely an example of this - early potential and success followed by a long period of injury, prior to his recent meritorious success. God says that our lives have the potential of being masterpieces as we grow into our potential – the potential God put there in the first place. This happens, in reality, as we more and more express the fullness of Jesus – which means living in the ways of Jesus. This, in turn, happens as we more and more abide in Jesus (within the community of faith).

I grew up in the sort of theological environment that often talked about how I was a miserable sinner. But this was only part of the story – and this was very redeemable. The New Testament certainly has another story to tell. Once we are touched by God’s grace, and we start to follow Jesus as our master and teacher … we are on the way to becoming unique works of art! Being a ‘sinner’ is actually the launching pad from which beauty can come out of the ashes.

As we look at this quote, and recall our passage from Ephesians 2 (especially verse 10), there are various points to make.

1. We Were Created With Great Intent

God brought us into being to have a relationship with Him. God, in the creation of the world, was broadening the community that already existed (Father, Son & Spirit) … for the purposes of investing His love in other beings, and having this returned. There was also a strong intention that this level of relational love … would be paid forward across communities in human relationships. As Leonard Wolcott put it, “God made us to carry out His goodness”. From the dawn of creation, as God appointed us ‘stewards’ of everything He made, God points to the world around us, that we might love as He has loved.

2. God Has Done All The Initial Groundwork

Though humanity has failed, and reaped the consequences of rebellion, God has NOT changed plans NOR lost hope. God continues the search for disciples, and made an ultimate sacrifice in the quest for masterpieces who could reach their potential. As we read our text from Ephesians (2:4-10), we see that the beginnings of each masterpiece happen … when we are met by grace. Our brokenness and rebellion from God … is met by an offer of mercy and forgiveness by God. As we, in faith, accept this free gift, everything changes.

We accept what Jesus has done for us, we begin on a new path. Where we previously did our own thing, we now to defer to the ways of Jesus. Where we previously had NO accountability to anyone, we now voluntarily become accountable to brothers and sisters in the church. Where we were previously limited to our human abilities (and confined by certain limitations), we now have access to the Holy Spirit … through whom we gain new gifts, new effectiveness, new capacity to be part of a team. We are a masterpiece in progress!

3. We Have Become A New Creation with Purpose

Verse 10 shows where we are now heading. We start to re-claim the perfection in which we were created (in the image of God); we clearly recognise that where we have fallen short has been remedied at the cross and at the open tomb of the resurrected Jesus; we understand that we are being re-created in that image of Jesus through God’s Spirit; and, we acknowledge that we are being returned to the purposes for which we were created in the first place. And that purpose is here given as … “good works” – which can be categorised as ‘acts of love’.

Clearly our mindset should NOT be ‘eternal heavenly bliss’ nor ‘luxurious inward experience’, but rather “good works”. We are saved by grace, a gift which has been accepted through faith – which will now be activated and proved in “good works”. As Luther wrote: “Faith is a living restless thing: it cannot be inoperative; we are not saved by works, but if there are no works, there must be something amiss with [our] faith”. Good works prove faith. Good work, sometimes costly service, demonstrates faith.

4. We Are Being Mobilised For Good Works

The “good works” that God planned beforehand for us – are to be our way of life. Having moved from death to life, through God’s grace, we have been renewed and equipped to fulfil our purpose. And as we embrace this … we are masterpieces in progress. The NLT of verse 10 reads: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”. So heads up, you’re a masterpiece in progress!!

And so the motivation toward doing good works … now comes from the right place. Our motivation comes from the heart of God, i.e. God’s love for us, our love for God, and the fullness of Jesus now, increasingly so, operating within us. It is NO longer a matter of guilt … that we should do good works; for any guilt we have for doing the wrong thing, or failing to do the right thing, has been lifted off us … so that we become free to act out of uncomplicated love.

It is also NO longer a matter of obligation … acts of love simply become a free-moving-part of who we are becoming. We should NOT be motivating people toward service through obligation or guilt (as if they owe something), but rather, be encouraging people to service … because they know Jesus, and want to naturally respond to the brokenness around them. In other words, rather than being under undue external pressure, good works should derive from a natural and progressive outflow from a relationship with Jesus.

Having said that – if we find ourselves resistant to what would normally be considered a fairly normal area of service, we may have to look deeply into why, and whether this is saying something about the seriousness of our response to Jesus. As the letter of James would clearly remind us … faith without works can be seriously questioned.

But remember – it’s NOT about guilt; service and ministry to others … is all about love!! We see a person, or a family, or relationships within a community, or this nation, or the world as a whole … in a downward spiral – and because we know Jesus, and the fullness of his love, we are prompted to respond … in some positive way.

5. These Good Works Were Prepared Beforehand

I think verse 10 is really talking about “good works” being, generally speaking, the way we do life – our general attitude. As we journey through life we just do good. This was God’s creative plan for us, that, although interrupted for a period of time, has been re-established through our reception of God’s grace – both in the sense of forgiveness, and also in the sense of Holy Spirit giftedness. The road on which good works can travel has already been built. Now, we serve, as a natural regular course of action!

However, I think there is room to move in translation here – where we could consider that there are particular “good works” God had in mind for us (a long time ago) … to be completed today. So, it might be good for us to think what these “good works”, in very particular terms, could be!? A person, a cause, an issue, some level of conflict or disruption that needs healing, a word of encouragement, a practical expression of love – what is it – what could it be?! We could have been carefully fashioned for particular moments of care.

Whereas we all have the great and general commission to be witnesses and make disciples, building the church and loving our neighbour – within this there would be very unique and particular roles for us to play. NOT that we would take these on alone, but rather see this as part of our corporate adventure together. I do this, you do that – we pray for each other!

We should refer again to our Wegner quote -"Every disciple is a unique, handcrafted-by-God vessel for expressing the fullness of Jesus. Every follower of Jesus is made to be the unique masterpiece God designed them to be within the context of a healthy, biblical community of faith."

God has known forever, who our neighbours would be today … and what their needs would be. God has known for a long time, where the gaps of service are in our community. God knew even before we started our current job, who our colleagues would be. And as we talked about recently, God is always preparing the way, and equipping His people.

Conclusion

We are God’s workmanship through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are God’s handiwork – becoming more like Jesus every day. God’s hands are at the potter’s wheel … shaping us. We are masterpieces in progress.

The painting that is our life, is starting to show a promising form. Sometimes the brushwork gets stalled, because we get bogged down in the past. We need to throw off any shame that still inhibits us, and that we can be tricked into dwelling in. The forgiveness of God is flowing our way … along the highway of mercy, and we should be claiming our victory in Jesus.

We are masterpieces in progress!