Painted Or Stained?

Ephesians 2:8-10

These are some of the most beautiful words in the New Testament. Especially verses 8 and 9. To know that God considers us as righteous through faith in Him, that stems from his never exhausting grace, should bring delight to any who calls upon the name of the Lord. Grace is God’s favor toward man and grace is not man coming to God, but God coming to man in the person of Jesus Christ, in whom John said was “Full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

In the proclaiming of the Gospel these two verses (8,9) are used right frequently, as one makes an appeal to another to except Christ in salvation. But it just doesn’t stop there. When then need to move on to verse 10 and communicate God’s work in sanctification. Paul said “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” In other words we are a piece of work; a work in progress.

God wants to make something out of your life! He created you and wants to create in you something beautiful and something that will bring honor and glory to His name. Just as He took six days to make the heavens and earth and all that is therein, the work of sanctification is a slow, but steady progress working toward a specific end. That end is conformity to Christ.

It is believed that Jesus was a carpenter. I tend to believe it because He did build the universe, but more than that He is a bridge builder. He built a bridge to fill the gap between God and man made by sin. And now He is chipping away here and there, shaping and molding like a potter with His clay on the wheel, making us “Vessels of honor, sanctified and meet for the masters use.” (2 Timothy 2:20)

Keeping in mind the image of Jesus as a carpenter, it would be interesting to see some of the pieces that He has made. In reality we see His work everyday when we fellowship with believers. But I have often pondered, would Jesus use paint or stain to finish His projects. I believe He would have used stain. Stain soaks through the wood. It gets deep into it. Paint is just on the surface. It can be easily chipped away.

So what type of finish are you. Painted, which is just surface and can be easily removed through conflict or compromise? Or stain, where your relationship with God is one that soaks through and touches your inner most being, which can never be taken off?

Salvation is known as “The finished work of Christ,” and what a fine finish it is. Let’s give Him our finest today!

Pastor Robby