Workmanship

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

(Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

We are His workmanship. This makes it clear that we cannot do anything to save ourselves. Christ is the one who does the work to save us for Himself: He made us and we are His. We are His creatures, His creations. We were made, and, through His blood, we are remade for a purpose: "for good works." 

We are "worked" by Christ. An image comes to my mind of a farmer working the land: he plows it, breaking up the hardened soil, plowing under the weeds and revealing the fresh dirt, ready for planting. He tests the soil for its nutrient profile, then fertilizes it for the crop He wants it to grow. This field gets a bit extra of that nutrient, that patch gets more of this one, depending on the seed to be planted there. He irrigates this section, but leaves another section dry (the crop growing here does best with "dry feet"). He directs the rain to fall here (for He is God and, unlike human farmers, can command rain and wind and sunshine as He likes) and withholds it there. He watches over His crop, and when the time is right and the crop is fully mature, He gathers it in.

The field cannot do any of this for itself. It cannot plow, plant, rain, or harvest, but is subject to the farmer's will.

Of course, the metaphor breaks down at a certain point. The field in my picture is truly passive. You cannot accuse it of intentionally harbouring weeds. However, our old nature can harbour weeds and can even cultivate them, if we are not careful to root them out at every opportunity. We are undergardeners in the garden that is us. We are called to tend what God has given us, bearing good fruit, not thorns and thistles. We are not just to bear showy leaves like the fig tree in Matthew 21, but good fruit as well.

This is why Paul says that we have been "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). 

Walking implies action--we do not just sit back and watch our gardens grow weeds and briers, but rather we actively walk in the way that God has commanded, pulling the weeds and burning the briers, coming back again and again to hoe around the good plants, giving them room to flourish and allowing the access the the good nutrients that God has provided for them.

We have before us the grim warning of Isaiah 5: If the vineyard does not yield good fruit, it will be laid waste.  If God does not spare His covenant people of Israel, He will not spare us either. As Paul says,

"Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." 

Romans 11:19-22

Thanks be to Christ who is the True Vine and who sustains us when we cannot sustain ourselves! 

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

John 15: 7-11

Book Talk: Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms the Single Life ~Barry Danylak

Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms the Single Life ~Barry Danylak

“This book is not like many others you will pick up about a Christian perspective of singleness. It does not focus on the personal experience of singleness, or on a cultural analysis of the phenomenon of singleness in the contemporary church. Nor is it a conventional presentation of the biblical teaching on the subject, or an attempt to glean from exemplary models of single people from Scripture or church history. This book is also not a how-to manual either for living the single life well or for most expediently relieving oneself of the status. There are many other well-written books that focus on all these areas. The starting point for this book is to reflect on the purpose of biblical affirmation of the single life by exploring how singleness itself fits into God's larger purpose of redeeming a people for his glory. The fruit of such reflection will contribute toward constructing a biblical theologyof singleness.” (Introduction 15)

As singles it can frequently feel as though we fall outside God's plan for the Church. We find it difficult to know what our place is in an institution that is structured primarily around family. Barry Danylak outlines the history of singleness in the church, showing how the Cultural mandate given to Adam and Eve (“be fruitful and multiply” Gen 1:28), the covenants made with Abraham and his descendants, and the changes in focus which occur in the New Testament church are all connected to God's ultimate purpose: redeeming His people.

“Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promised seed of Abraham, and in him are Abraham's true offspring, heirs of the eternal inheritance promised by God. Since all the blessings of the new covenant are realized through our reconciliation to God through Christ, marriage is no longer a fundamental marker of covenantal blessing as it was in the covenant of Sinai. Singleness lived to the glory of God and the furtherance of his kingdom testifies to the complete sufficiency of Christ for all things. The Christian is fully blessed in Christ, whether he or she is married or single, rich or poor, in comfort or duress. The distinctive calling of singleness within the church testifies to this truth.” (Epilogue 213)

Danylak distinguishes between being called to be single and having the gift of singleness: “[T]he gift of singleness is not simply the situation or status of being unmarried. Unless one marries the day after puberty, one will inevitably live part of his or her life as a single person. There are some who may have to live their entire lives as single people, without the gift of singleness—not ever finding a suitable mate. As we noted earlier, Jesus recognized that some are eunuchs not because they chose to be but because of factors outside their control. However, those who have the gift of singleness can remain single by choice” (200).

Having a clear theological basis for singleness as an acceptable (though still difficult) role in the New Testament church is a real comfort. It feels at times as though as singles we are being left on the sidelines and are not living full Christian lives. Danylak's book assures us that our lives as singles in the New Testament church are just as theologically sound and complete as those who are married.

This definitely a book to have—as a single or married person—it is good to be reminded that our ultimate fulfillment is not to be found in our marital status but rather it is to be found in Christ.

Book Talk: Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry ~Paul David Tripp

Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry ~Paul David Tripp

“Dangerous Calling reveals the truth that the culture surrounding our pastors in spiritually unhealthy—an environment that actively undermines the well-being and efficacy of our church leaders and this the entire church body. 

Here is a book that both diagnoses and offers cures for issues that impact every member and church leader, and gives solid strategies for fighting the all-important war that rages in our churches today.” (Inside cover flap)

A highly engaging read. I found this a personal blessing as well as an insight into the difficulties surrounding pastoral ministry. Insert “Christian” where Tripp writes “pastor” and much of what he says can be directly applied to the pew-sitting Christian.

As a bluestocking who likes to engage with ideas and information, it is good to be reminded that 

“There is a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is an accurate understanding of truth. Wisdom is understanding and living in light of how that truth applies to the situations and relationships of your daily life. Knowledge is an exercise of your brain. Wisdom is the commitment of your heart that leads to transformation of your life” (26-27).  

And also that

“Bad things happen when maturity is more defined by knowing than it is by being. Danger is a float when you come to love the ideas more than the God whom they represent and the people they are meant to free” (42).

It is easy to forget that what we know is not as important as Who we know, and that our relationship with God should not be taking second place to our learning and reading about Him.