WORKMANSHIP-IN-PROCESS
Sixth of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series
Isaiah 64:8: “Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. [Despite His hiding His face from sinful people]. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”
From a bird’s-eye vantage point, humans have no idea how tiny is the number of people who’re indwelt with and obey God’s Spirit compared to His grand plan. Those who call themselves Christian might be shocked to learn that they’ve got a long way to go before claiming salvation.
Salvation is granted to whomever accepts Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness of sins. Yet, working out salvation is a life-long process. Peter teaches in Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name if Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
He continues, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Emphasis mine).
Sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon], setting Believers apart from the rest of humanity, takes a lifetime.
Believers-in-Christ are not born with God’s character that His Spirit is molding from within. It is His character that takes a lifetime to develop. Apostle Paul advises Believers to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” in Philippians 2:12.
Don’t you love being taught by Jesus’ apostles? Peter warns, “Be on guard … that you may not be carried away … and fall away from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17b-18).
Apostles know that Believers must endure a lifetime of overcoming because we’re in training for a marathon of great purpose. Those called are fully aware that whoever “stands firm to the end will be saved,” (Matthew 24:13).
Paul recognized that salvation—and even faith to receive it—are free gifts that can never be earned (Romans 6:23). But this doesn’t negate that God isn’t actively working in people (requiring good works). God reproduces Himself in Believers through good works.
“For it is by grace you are saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship , created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Take Home Nugget
It’s clear that Believers are God’s workmanship. Christian lives of doing “good works” is the process of “working out” salvation. So, thinking we’re “done” after being saved obstructs God’s workmanship-in-progress—like a potter shaping clay.
Thank You for Your free gifts in Christ that sanctify me daily, Lord!
Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack. The Real Truth Magazine. March, 2016. Pages 1-2, 28-30. Ohio. www.RealTruth.org
J.D. Griffith
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