APPEARING OF HIS WORKMANSHIP: BY MICHAEL BROD Ephesians 2:10 'We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." God is making visible that which is eternal, but is unseen except by revelation, spiritual sight and understanding. We are invited to participate with God in the joy of creation. We are empowered (anointed) to experience the creative imperative of God's own existence. God desires to manifest. It is evident that He has determined to manifest because He has done so. We are granted the ability to contain in a measure, God's desire to be made manifest. His desire appears in us as a motivating force so that we are not moving in own strength and are continually being drawn towards the goal. We are committed to be a dwelling place for God on earth. The unity with Jesus Christ that exists in us is expressed in two movements. There is an outward movement for He is the Creator. "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. "Colossians 1:16-17 We know that we have been joined to Him to bring forth the world to come. Jesus said: "All things that the Father has are mine: therefore I say, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you." John 16:15 We do not have any problem believing that the "fullness" of the Godhead dwelt in Jesus Christ bodily, fully revealing the character and nature of God-If we can truly believe that the Church is "His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all" Ephesians 1:23 we will see that the miraculous transformation that we envision is not beyond attainment. The promise becomes the present as we live it. Hebrews 2:5-9 "For unto the angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But David in a certain place testified, saying, what is man, that You are mindful of him? or the son of man, that You visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of Your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (He speaks of us) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." It is the Lord's intention that all things should be put under us in Him. Death was the obstacle - He has overcome death for us. "God has put all things under His feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that f ills all in all." Ephesians 1:22-23 "We are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." He is granting us His completeness. Col.2:10 There is a creative outward expression and an inward flow. "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will." Ephesians 1:9-11 We have a promise of completeness and fullness based on His in gathering and His relationship to that which is gathered. We exist in the midst of the work of God in Christ. We can find ourselves, and our identity in Him. He appears in the desire of our hearts. We are finding a way to walk in this world so that His life in us functions as our life. We have chosen not to be conformed to this world: but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 1Peter 1:25 "The word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word, which by the gospel is preached (imparted) unto you." Our transformation is God's way of revealing the breadth, depth, height and scope of the finished work of Christ. It is very important that we, as a chosen people, reveal through ourselves how transformation works. We are able to give Him expression and perform those things that we see the Father do. We can show forth those things that derive from His character and holiness. God seeks a people that He can entrust with power in heaven and in earth who will go about doing good, undoing the works of the devil. And who will, by His plan, put the last enemy under their feet. 'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29 We are appearing as His workmanship. *For more information on this topic simply E-mail Michael Brod at: michaelbrod@hotmail.com return Gems of Faith: