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Jan 14 2012

We are God’s Masterpiece…Ephesians 2:4-10

by Mary Joy

January 14, 2012

photo credit

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 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.  Ephesians 2: 4-8 NLT

This passage has always been very powerful for me!

Isn’t it amazing?!!

“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”  (Ephesians 2:9 NLT)  

It is all about what He did…and is doing…for us!

I think sometimes, if you are like me, we tend to focus in on all of our flaws and think…“Wow!  I’m such a mess!  What does God see in me?”  It is in times like these that we need to remember that He loves us so much!  He created us in His likeness and image…and that He wants to shower us with His transforming grace and kindness as He transforms our mess into His masterpiece as examples of His amazing grace and kindness toward us to bring others to Him.  How do I know this is true?  Because of a verse that often gets over looked…

7So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:7 NLT

His grace filled transformation of our mess and His great kindness to us is the testimony He points to us to show others how much He loves them.  That it is possible for Him to love them…in the midst of their mess, too!  He wants everyone to know that He has done this for all who are united with Christ!  Sooo powerful!!!  Such amazing grace and love!

One day at a time…let’s unwrap His Grace so that His transforming power can create His masterpiece out of our mess and bring Glory to Him for the salvation of others who, like us, so desperately need Him.

Will you join me on this journey?  Share your thoughts on this below and then…

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Growing in His Grace,

Mary Joy

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About the author

Mary Joy

I am a broken daughter of God and a work in progress. I am passionate about encouraging women to embrace God's grace and faithfulness as I discover and share His faithfulness, grace and even joy in the messiness of my journey as a recently widowed, homeschooling mom with a missionary's heart. I am in awe of how God fills me up and carries me through each day as a new widow and accident survivor. My Heavenly Father leads me as I continue to parent and homeschool our two recovering and very active boys; and encourage my beautiful teenage step-daughter (long distance) as she graduates from high school without her Daddy. In every moment I see incredible evidence of God's healing love, grace and faithfulness. I am so blessed to be the creator, manager, and lead author of Unwrapping His Grace as I lean on my Savior to lead us in this special web-ministry.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.surrenderedlivingnow.com/2012/01/14/sunday-scripture-we-are-gods-masterpiece/

  • Pamela

    Don’t you love the times we feel God’s hands shaping us?  I don’t see a masterpiece when I look in the mirror, but I do know God’s shaping me.  I desire to bring Him glory.

    • http://www.surrenderedlivingnow.com/ Mary Joy Pershing

      I know what you mean, Pamela!  For me, the image of the masterpiece that comes to mind is a tapestry.  We see only the back of it…with all of the knots and raw edges looking like a mess…God sees the finished side and all of His handiwork in our lives shining forth as His transforming grace speaks to others who deeply need His transforming love too.  All of us are unfinished tapestries…allowing His grace to work in our lives brings glory to Him in ways we may never even realize while we are here living our journey.

      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here today!  I love your perspective, Pamela!

      Growing in His Grace,
      Mary Joy

  • JoJo

    Thanks for putting these verses together.  I always see the first but never the last. All we do is for HIm.  I always feel kind of inadequate about that “All” part.  I always feel I haven’t done enough, but when I read that it is not for me to boast but for others to see God’s amazing grace, I guess I feel a bit better.

    • http://www.surrenderedlivingnow.com/ Mary Joy Pershing

      JoJo,

      We all need to remember that it isn’t up to us but His work in our lives that brings the glory…as others watch His transforming grace working in our lives that is what draws others to Him.  It is not up to you to do “enough” for God.  He has a special plan that He wants to bring to fruition in each of our lives to draw others to Him…to show His grace and kindness that He wants to offer them too.  That was so freeing for me too!  I am a recovering “I have to do it” or “I should be able to do more” person.  I have to remember it is the work He is doing in me…through challenges, suffering, and success…which He sees very differently than we do.  Know what I mean?  I am glad you were able to find some encouragement in today’s passage.  It helps me to read it over and meditate on it regularly so that I remember the awesomeness of His work in us.

      I really appreciate you sharing your story here today.  I know there are a lot of people who struggle with the same things.

      Growing in His Grace,

      Mary Joy

    • http://www.surrenderedlivingnow.com/ Mary Joy Pershing

      JoJo,

      We all need to remember that it isn’t up to us but His work in our lives that brings the glory…as others watch His transforming grace working in our lives that is what draws others to Him.  It is not up to you to do “enough” for God.  He has a special plan that He wants to bring to fruition in each of our lives to draw others to Him…to show His grace and kindness that He wants to offer them too.  That was so freeing for me too!  I am a recovering “I have to do it” or “I should be able to do more” person.  I have to remember it is the work He is doing in me…through challenges, suffering, and success…which He sees very differently than we do.  Know what I mean?  I am glad you were able to find some encouragement in today’s passage.  It helps me to read it over and meditate on it regularly so that I remember the awesomeness of His work in us.

      I really appreciate you sharing your story here today.  I know there are a lot of people who struggle with the same things.

      Growing in His Grace,

      Mary Joy

  • http://www.surrenderedlivingnow.com/ Mary Joy Pershing

    Thank you so much, Julie!  I am so glad you like it!  I am enjoying it.  I am so blessed by all of the work Will did to help me feel at home.  :D

    I am so sorry that it took me so long to respond to your comment.  I just found it in my spam folder…I hate it when that happens!  I have made sure that all of your comments will automatically approve in the future.

    Hope you are doing well these days!  Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for stopping by!

    Growing in His Grace,

    Mary Joy