Good morning,
We are God’s masterpiece.
What proof did Jesus have when he came to a world full of sinful people that the God of creation genuinely loved them? Remember last week we started out with Jesus telling his followers, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.(Jn.15:18) In an age when we are taught that to be good, you have to be as kind and careful as possible, Jesus didn’t seem to be upset at all when people hated him. To make it even more challenging he said, I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.(v.19) Then he added something that makes what he is telling us good news indeed. Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.(v.20) Jesus gave us two tests that we must never forget. If we really are a part of God’s eternal family, people around us will hate us no matter how good we are in the ups and downs of ordinary living. The second important test is that if we really are a part of God’s eternal family, they will listen to what we are telling them from God’s Word and from a Bible based way of living even if we are not perfect in all that we say and do. God’s standard for our being hated is,God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man.(Lk.6:22) Instead of our living in fear of their hatred and threats, God tells us, “When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.(v.23) Our willingness to trust our Savior no matter what they say or think identifies us as genuine children of God. We also do well to remember that the ancient prophets were also treated that way by your ancestors.(v.23) All through the thousands of years before us, God’s people have always been identified by they way they lived, not just by what they said.
Instead of hiding from enemies who hate us, Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned that they might not repay.(Lk.6:35) We have been saved by faith to live our lives like God does. Our Heavenly Father is not demanding we do things so that people will love us, He calls us to live our lives for the benefit of those around us no matter how well or how angrily they act. When we have God’s love as the source of our lives and we accept the circumstances that the Lord has arranged for us, then God tells us, Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked.(v.35) The second test that we have is that the challenges that come our way help us to learn what it means that we are getting to know Jesus for who he is towards us and toward those around us who have been trapped by a hate filled master. Paul reminds us that, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!(Phi.3:10,11) There is nothing more exciting than having a real relationship with Jesus that makes his plans for our lives an eternal adventure that starts in time and then goes on for eternity. Jesus saves us by his grace and empowers us by the Holy Spirit for God’s glory, not ours. Then he tells us, 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. Dear Lord, may that be true of us day by day.
Ephesians 2:10 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.
Roy Wisner
