You Are a Masterpiece
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Introduction:
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
You are not an accident. You are not a random collection of cells or a product of chance. You are God’s workmanship—His masterpiece.
The Greek word for “workmanship” is poiēma which means a work of art. This word includes in it’s definition—statues, songs, architecture, paintings, or poems. In other words you are God’s masterpiece.
You are God’s masterpiece crafted with intention and beauty. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Being created in Christ Jesus what makes us a masterpiece.
F.F. Bruce a prominent scholar said that Ephesians 2:10 should be translated “we are his work of art, his masterpiece”.
This means your life has purpose, design, and divine direction. Let’s explore what it means to be God’s masterpiece.
Body:
You Were Spiritually Created as God’s Masterpiece.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Context—Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, emphasizing salvation by grace through faith. After affirming that salvation is not by works, he shifts to show that good works are the result of being in Christ. His workmanship or masterpiece is created in Christ for the purpose of walking in good works.
Insight—Paul is not talking about a physical birth but a spiritual rebirth as Jesus was with Nicodemus in John 3:3-8.
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Paul explains in verse 11 that they were born gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands.
Colossians 2:11-12 calls baptism the circumcision made without hands.
Verses 12 says Before their heart was circumcised they were lost outside of Christ.
Colossians 2:11 they were lost because before they were circumcised by Christ their sins had not yet been cut off.
Colossians 2:13 says before you were circumcised by Christ in baptism you were dead in the uncircumcision of your flesh.
Now if we go back to see Colossians 2:12 we see that after we have been baptized or circumcised by Christ with the circumcision not made with hands that we were buried with Him and raised with Him.
This coincides with Romans 6:4.
Romans 6:4 “4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
This is were God makes us a masterpiece because our sins have now been cut away and He can see the true masterpiece of His Son.
Notice that verse 12 says before you are in Christ (baptized).
You are without Christ.
Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
strangers from the covenants of promise
having no hope and without God in the world.
Now that we understand how we are God’s masterpiece, we can understand our purpose as His masterpiece.
As God’s Masterpiece We Have a Purpose.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Context—Paul emphasizes that salvation is by grace, not works (Eph. 2:8-9), but immediately follows with the truth that disciples of Christ are created in Christ for good works. These works are not random—they are prepared beforehand by God, meaning your life has divine assignments waiting to be fulfilled.
Insight—God’s masterpiece is not meant to sit on a shelf—It is meant to move with purpose. You were spiritually crafted to walk in good works that reflect Christ’s character and mission.
Christ’s character—
Always pleasing to the Father—John 8:29 “29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.””
Our reflection of this character should look something like this—1 Corinthians 9:27 “27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
A Servant—Mark 10:45 “45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””
Our reflection of this character should look something like this—Matthew 10:25 “25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!”
Humble and obedient—Philippians 2:8 “8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Our reflection of this character should look something like this—1 Peter 5:5–9 “5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
Christ’s mission—Luke 19:10 “10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””
Our mission as stated by Jesus—Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Our reflection of this mission should look something like this—1 Corinthians 9:19–23 “19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
Application—Understand that you are God’s masterpiece and live intentionally and give diligence to grow daily.
2 Peter 3:17–18 “17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
As God’s Masterpiece ask yourself...
How do I add to my faith?
How do I forget passed sin and look to the future.
Suggestions on how to accomplish.
Make up your mind and work toward the goal of strengthening your faith.
Understand that sin once forgiven by God is forgotten by Him and press toward the upward calling in Christ Jesus.
Reflection—How does knowing I am a masterpiece with a God given purpose change the way I approach my daily life?
As God’s Masterpiece We Are in His Museum.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Context—Paul’s declaration in Ephesians 2:10 comes after explaining that salvation is by grace, through faith and not of works. Yet, once saved, we are described as God’s workmanship—His crafted masterpiece. The Greek word poiēma implies artistry, and like any craftsman, God takes pride in His creation. A masterpiece is not hidden—it is displayed, observed, and celebrated.
Insight—God watches His creation with delight and expectation. Just as he publicly affirmed Jesus at His baptism—”This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt. 3:17)—He desires to be pleased with us as His handiwork. We are not meant to blend in; we are meant to reflect His excellence.
To be light in the world.
Matthew 5:14 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Paul said God put him on display.
1 Corinthians 4:9 “9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.”
God said that His eyes are on the righteous.
Psalm 34:15 “15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”
Application—Live as if God is always watching because He is.
Suggestions on how to accomplish this:
Ask: “Lord, are You pleased with what You see in me today?”
Be intentional in conduct—your life is watched by God and others.
Reflection:
Would God be pleased with my life today?
What areas need refinement to better reflect His workmanship?
Conclusion—Live as God’s Masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:8–10 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
You are not an accident. You ae not forgotten. You are not ordinary. You are God’s masterpiece—spiritually crafted in Christ, purposed for good works, and placed on display for His glory.
Let the truth of you being God’s masterpiece shape your identity and your daily walk.
You were created in Christ—your spiritual rebirth (baptism) is the beginning of your masterpiece story.
You were given a purpose—to reflect Christ’s character and fulfil His mission in your life.
You were put on display—your life is watched by God and meant to shine before others.
So walk in the works He prepared for you. Live with intention. Grow in grace. Reflect His excellence.
Final Exhortation:
Let your life say to the world, “I belong to the Master Craftsman.” Let your conduct invite others to see His glory in you. And let your heart ask daily, “Lord, are You pleased with what You see in me today?”
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
God is not finished with His masterpiece. So keep walking. Keep growing. Keep shining.
