Word@Work Eph32 - Ephesians 3:10-11
Published: Mon, 11/10/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RESTORED MASTERPIECES
Ephesians 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Staff are an employer's finest asset or greatest liability. However, Jesus' choice of the disciples might not have seemed wise. Mostly they were a rough lot with little education. The Corinthian church members had been worse: sexually immoral, thieves, drunkards, embezzlers and extortionists (cf 1 Cor 6:9-11). The apostle Paul himself was previously an arrogant, bigoted, blasphemous, cruel and violent-minded man. But it was people like that who God chose - not because they were good, but because He would display His glory in changing them to become like Jesus.
Churches are (are should be) full of such salvaged lives. Jesus said that He had not come to call the righteous, but sinners who would repent (cf Luke 5:32). That is why He called us; and He is still calling those in our workplace even though they may have deaf ears now. Secularists assume that God is collecting nice, naïve people. Wrong. He is forming a church out of the most streetwise, perverted, manipulative and blasphemous people you can imagine (and those who don't do it but think it). Why? So that God can been seen as the only person in the universe who has the will to forgive, the power to purify, the strength to implant into weakness; and the grace to replace pride with humility.
The world observes this, Satan cannot help noticing and the angels rejoice. In God's people, you see the kaleidoscope of God's powerful wisdom, achieving His purpose of transforming sin-wrecked lives into living masterpieces. This was always His plan. So there is no lifestyle so blighted that God cannot renew it. No colleagues so irreligious that God cannot call them. And there is no Christian so defeated that God cannot bring them to peace and purpose. The workplace is full of people who God loves: He is waiting to pour out His grace on you and them. The key is trusting Jesus.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for choosing me to be in Your kingdom and family. I know that You can transform anybody by Your power through the blood of Christ. Help me to trust that You will do this for my friends and colleagues, and not be afraid of their negative comments. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Staff are an employer's finest asset or greatest liability. However, Jesus' choice of the disciples might not have seemed wise. Mostly they were a rough lot with little education. The Corinthian church members had been worse: sexually immoral, thieves, drunkards, embezzlers and extortionists (cf 1 Cor 6:9-11). The apostle Paul himself was previously an arrogant, bigoted, blasphemous, cruel and violent-minded man. But it was people like that who God chose - not because they were good, but because He would display His glory in changing them to become like Jesus.
Churches are (are should be) full of such salvaged lives. Jesus said that He had not come to call the righteous, but sinners who would repent (cf Luke 5:32). That is why He called us; and He is still calling those in our workplace even though they may have deaf ears now. Secularists assume that God is collecting nice, naïve people. Wrong. He is forming a church out of the most streetwise, perverted, manipulative and blasphemous people you can imagine (and those who don't do it but think it). Why? So that God can been seen as the only person in the universe who has the will to forgive, the power to purify, the strength to implant into weakness; and the grace to replace pride with humility.
The world observes this, Satan cannot help noticing and the angels rejoice. In God's people, you see the kaleidoscope of God's powerful wisdom, achieving His purpose of transforming sin-wrecked lives into living masterpieces. This was always His plan. So there is no lifestyle so blighted that God cannot renew it. No colleagues so irreligious that God cannot call them. And there is no Christian so defeated that God cannot bring them to peace and purpose. The workplace is full of people who God loves: He is waiting to pour out His grace on you and them. The key is trusting Jesus.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for choosing me to be in Your kingdom and family. I know that You can transform anybody by Your power through the blood of Christ. Help me to trust that You will do this for my friends and colleagues, and not be afraid of their negative comments. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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