A WORK IN PROCESS

 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

                For many years the painting by Rembrandt was known as “The Night Watch”, although its original title was “The Shooting Company of Capt. Frans Banning Cocq”. Over the years the painting had become obscured by dirt and dust. In 1946, the curators of the museum that houses this masterpiece decided it was time to clean the painting. What they discovered startled them. This was not a night scene at all, but a daylight scene. Because of the accumulation of dirt over time, the painting had been darkened to the point where it obscured its original glory.

                The story of “The Night Watch” is our story. We were created by God in His image. We were created to reflect His glory into the world. But over time, sin has darkened and obscured the image of God. No longer do we reflect God’s glory into the world. Instead, we present the exact opposite image. Instead of being light, we have become darkness.  

                Jesus came into the world to cleanse us from our accumulated sin and to restore the image of God within us. Like the curators of the museum, Jesus carefully strips away layer upon layer of spiritual dirt to reveal the Artist’s original. He knows exactly what we should look like, and he is patiently working on us to bring us in line with God’s original design.

                Paul states in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s workmanship. That word can also be translated masterpiece. I love that image. We are God’s masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus to demonstrate God’s glory in our world. Every great masterpiece points back to the artist. In part, “The Night Watch” is a masterpiece not only because of its artistic value, but because it was created by Rembrandt. We are masterpieces not because of our talents or skills, but because we were created by God in His image. “The Night Watch” is just paint on a canvas, but it reflects the skill and insight of the artist. Our lives are the raw materials through which God demonstrates His awesome power and glory.

                Through what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are in the process of being renewed and restored. We have moved from the dominion of darkness into the dominion of light, God’s light. This is reflected in the way we live our lives. Everyday we have the chance to move one step closer to being the masterpiece God created us to be. As we actively respond to God’s grace by bringing our life in line with God’s will, we reflect His glory into the world. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18, And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

                The difference between us and “The Night Watch” is that the painting is passive while we have been called to be active. We play a part in the transformation process by being obedient to God’s commands. As Paul puts it, we are to live lives worthy of our calling. Or as he says in Ephesians 2:10, we are to do the good works that God has designed for us to do. Each strep we take in that direction moves us closer to the end goal; to be completely restored to the image of God.

                If we are honest, we don’t often see ourselves as a masterpiece. At best, we see ourselves as generic copies; and often those are copies, not of God’s glory, but of the prevailing images of the world around us. When we place our faith in Jesus, a radical transformation begins. We become new creations in Him. The old, sinful image is removed and replaced by a new, righteous image. No longer are we slaves to sin, but we have been set free to be who God originally created us to be. We have been set free to be God’s masterpieces in the world. The question is, will we embrace being God’s masterpiece?

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)