Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV): For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
In New Living Translation (NLT), this verse reads, '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'. Wow! Just the other day, I heard these words from the Lord:
"Tell My people they are My workmanship! Tell My people I have a plan for them! Tell My people they have a part in me! Tell My people they are not a mistake, even if they think they are!"
There are some of you out there who are on the verge. You may be on the verge of giving up on life, on your faith, on God's promises that seem to be unfulfilled, on God's covenant with you, or even on the verge of ending your life! If you are one of those, these words above are for you. Hang on right there, because God says you are not a mistake, even if you think you are!
"I've had enough of those feel-good message stuff!"
No, friend. I'm not here to write a feel-good message that's too good to be true. Far from it! I've had my share of ups and downs in life too, and I understand how it's like when nothing seems to work in life! But take heart, because the Lord hasn't forgotten you, even if you are now down in the doldrums.
I want to point you back to the Word of God now, because His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). In Ephesians 2:10, the Word of God says 'you are God's workmanship', and if you don't like this version in NKJV, how about in NLT that says 'you are God's masterpiece'?
This word 'workmanship' (or 'masterpiece') is the word 'poiema' in Greek, which means 'a product or a fabric, like a beautiful cloth that is woven (put together)'. This word comes from the verb 'poieo', meaning 'to appoint, to ordain for God's work (like a priest being ordained for God's work)'. Indeed, you (the beloved of God) are a royal priesthood, i.e. king and priest (1 Peter 2:9) of today! In other words, you are God's appointment for such a time as this! Hallelujah!
Ephesians 2:19-22 says, 'Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit'.
See the words 'having been built', 'being fitted together', 'a holy temple', and 'a dwelling place of God' here? That's who you are in Christ! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 confirms it, 'Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's'. Yes, someone has paid a very high price for you, and He's none other than Jesus Christ who paid it with His own life!
The word 'temple' here is 'naos' in Greek, which simply means 'a dwelling place', from the word 'naio' meaning 'to dwell'. And I'm going to show you how God is very particular and meticulous in creating you, just as He was very particular and meticulous in building His dwelling place those days!
Let's go all the way back to the book of Exodus for our Old Testament parallel. In Exodus 31:1-7, The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, indeed I have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you; the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle...'
For the record, both Bezalel and Aholiab were the best craftsmen those days, and were supernaturally gifted and called to build the interior and exterior of God's dwelling place. Today, as a believer in the New Covenant (and of course, as 'a dwelling place of God'), you too can expect to receive the best from the Lord!
Very interestingly, the name 'Bezalel' is 'Betsal-El' in Hebrew, meaning 'in the shadow of God (El)', whereas the name 'Aholiab' is 'Oholiy-Ab' in Hebrew, meaning 'in the tent of the Father (Ab)'. 'Shadow' speaks of 'the glory and the presence of God'; whereas
'Tent' speaks of 'the covering and the protection of your Abba Father in heaven'.
You know what this means? You are created in the glory and the presence of God, and under the covering and the protection of your Abba Father! Therefore, today, you are also meant to have the glory and the presence of God, and live under the covering and the protection of your Abba Father in your life now! The Word of God says, 'in Him, we live, we move, and we have our being'! (Acts 17:28)
And no wonder King David (who knew his God well) had this to say, "For You formed my inward parts; You covered (wove, put me together) me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully (reverently) and wonderfully made; Marvellous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." (Psalm 139:13-14)
He then continued, "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You." (Psalm 139:17-18)
Yes, God's thoughts for you are precious thoughts! He sees you precious like the gemstones on the breastplate of the high priest, so close to the high priest's bosom (and his heart). And you too are like the disciple whom Jesus loved, who rested on His bosom (John 13:23). Today, know that Jesus has become your High Priest, and Hebrews 4:15 says, 'For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses (infirmities), but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin'. In other words, He is a God who can identify with all your pains and disappointments, and in every season of your life.
Note: And most importantly, we can all learn to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, learn our lessons in every season, and then move on in life!
So, friend, there's every reason to hope. With men, it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) if you do not give up believing. In fact, you have every reason to believe that God is with you, because His name is also called Immanuel, the God (who is) with you. And if God is with you, who can be against you?
I therefore declare 'the door to be opened for you' right now, no matter how impossible it may seem to be! I declare 'the light to appear, and the darkness to flee' in every situation (of your life) right now! Believing, you will receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!
