What makes us Christians?
The question of what makes a person a Christian is of crucial importance. Many believe it's about keeping the Ten Commandments, obeying God through service, praying daily, or working hard. But the Bible teaches us something quite different, essentially the opposite of such ideas. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul presents an inspiring picture of God: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph 2,10).
The word "work" offers us a profound insight into the nature of God. In English, the word "poem" is derived from the Greek "poiema," which means work. However, the Greek word poiema has a much broader meaning. It refers to a work of art designed and created by an artist or craftsman. As Paul writes in Romans: "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly perceived, being understood from what has been made. Therefore they are without excuse." (Röm 1,20).
God's masterpiece
The redeemed believer is God's new creation - His artistic work. A Christian is God's work, His created masterpiece. What an honor and privilege! Have you ever visited a workshop? A friend of mine has a large workshop equipped with all the tools a craftsman needs to work with wood: electric saws, drills, planes, sanders, and more. He is happiest when he can design, saw, shape, and sand to make something very special out of wood, be it a small toy or a beautiful cabinet display case. This joy and devotion reflects God's love and care in His creation. Just like the craftsman in his workshop, God works on us, molding us, and shaping us into His masterpiece.
The image of God as a craftsman helps us understand how he works in his great workshop. This is no exaggeration, for the Bible also describes God as a potter: “But now, Lord, you are our Father; we are clay, you are our potter, and we are all the work of your hands.” (Jesaja 64,7).
God takes a formless lump of clay and shapes it into something wonderful. He is the artist, and we are his artwork. The moment we are converted, something wonderful happens deep within us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2. Kor 5,17).
We are created by the will and craftsmanship of the supreme master in the universe. A Christian is not created through their own efforts, but by God himself. God is the creator, the artist, the architect. His greatest masterpiece is not the vast universe, not the majestic, snow-capped mountains, and not even the amazing human body. His true masterpiece is a Christian who displays the full power of his creative force. What makes you a Christian? Is it striving to the best of your ability? Doing good deeds or being a good person? Let us consider the context: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2,8-10).
We become Christians through the work of God, not through our own strength. Our works or good deeds are of no consequence—it depends solely on the work of God and his actions. God does not turn to us because of our good behavior. We are Christians thanks to his great goodness, his mercy, his kindness, his unconditional love, his loving forgiveness, and his perfect grace. It is a mistake to view Christianity solely in terms of our own actions and omissions; rather, we should consider what God accomplishes in us, with us, and through us: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Phil 2,13).
We are a masterpiece in the process of creation. Perhaps you have seen a sign on a desk that reads: Please be patient with me. God is not quite finished with me yet! God is working progressively and uses tools like the Holy Scriptures to fulfill His plan: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2. Tim 3,16).
He uses proclamation and teaching: “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may perfect everyone in Christ.” (Kol 1,28).
He employs discipline: “For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, who brought many children to glory, that he should perfect the author of their salvation through suffering.” (Hebr 2,10).
What a privilege it is to know we are safe in the hands of the Master—the Creator God! We are weak, we fail, we sin, yet the mere knowledge that God works with us until Jesus takes shape within us should inspire our hope: “My children, whom I am to bear again in labor until Christ is formed in you!” (Gal 4,19)Nothing comes from God's workshop! So, do we need to do absolutely nothing – should we just let God do everything? We should do it with the right motivation: "We were created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do." (Eph 2,10).
It is not our own works, but the works we do together with Jesus. Good works should be a central characteristic of a Christian: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5,16).
We are to live as Jesus lived - serving our fellow men and honoring our Father. The Bible teaches us that we will be rewarded according to our works - but it does not teach us that we are Christians because of our good works. Good works do not make us Christians. God makes us Christians so that we do good works. This is exactly the opposite of what many people would like to believe. Going to church, visiting the sick and supporting the poor is behaving well and rightly, but such good behavior does not make us Christians - only God, the supreme master, can do that! It should be emphasized that even our good deeds were prepared by God. Again, the image of God as a craftsman comes to mind, working in the background. A Christian is not simply a good person - or one who has improved or turned a new chapter in his life. A Christian is a new creature, united with Jesus Christ and created by God.
by Gordon Green
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