During the Summer Study we were introduced to the theme of Created. We explored the pages of Genesis 1-5, discovering God’s power through the creation of all things. But we also learned about the fall of mankind and the brokenness that fills the world we live in. The Lord did not abandon us to our fates but promised that a Savior would redeem us from the power of sin (Gen. 3:15). And four thousand years later, the Savior arrived in Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the grave to declare His victory over death. The war is won, and the victor is Jesus!
The battles in our lives, however, continue to be waged. We must constantly fight against sin and to be like Christ. During the National Bible Bee Competition, we get to study the book of Ephesians. In this short but powerful book of Scripture we get to see how Christians are born as new creations, conforming into the likeness of Christ each day.
Before the Creation…
The first place we find the mention of creation is in chapter 1. Ephesians 1:3 begins with praise, blessing the Lord for giving us the blessing of Christ. He made the choice to sacrifice His only Son to redeem us from our sin, not because He had to but because He wanted to (Romans 8:32). What an amazing love! But verse 4 continues, “even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (ESV). In NIV, the word “creation” is used in place of “foundation,” but the meaning is the same: we, the followers of Christ, are chosen!
The Lord knows every person He has made, from their physical appearance to their deepest secret to their wildest dreams. He placed each of them in a world He lovingly and thoughtfully created (Genesis 1:1) and gave them dominion over it. And when the first man, Adam, rebelled against God’s authority, He could have easily turned away. Mankind had chosen that he did not need God, and God could have chosen to strike him down, or worse yet abandon him to his own devices. But instead He gave a promise that sin would not claim the final victory. A healer was coming, a Savior who would make it possible for men to have peace with God once more (Genesis 3:15).
This was not a plan that began once man had sinned. We were chosen “before the foundation of the world.” God had not even spoken creation into existence when He decided to name us as His own. He planned for us to live in the time we are, to make the decisions we have, and ultimately to be found and secured by His grace. I know it makes me feel incredibly small to know how many people there are in this world, and yet I feel incredibly loved knowing the Lord knows my heart and has called me His own.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.” – Isaiah 43:1
In Christ Jesus…
The second place creation is mentioned in Ephesians is chapter 2. Verses 8-9 summarize the message of God’s grace, telling us we have not been saved by our own works or merit. It is only the sacrifice of Jesus that makes salvation possible, and faith in His work alone is what redeems us. If it was our worth or our actions that saved us we would be locked in constantly trying to prove our value to the Lord. We would even rub our self-righteousness in the face of those who don’t seem to be doing as much. But because Christ’s work alone is the basis of salvation no one can boast in their works; they can only boast in what God has done (1 Corinthians 1:31).
Verse 10 continues this thought with added details: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” This verse almost seems contradictory; after all, the last two verses just made the point that we are saved by grace instead of works. But that is not what this verse is teaching. We already learned from chapter 1 that the Lord has planned for us to be saved “before the foundation of the world.” He sent Christ to live a perfect life, die an undeserved death, and rise victoriously three days later. But His plan for us did not stop with us believing by faith; if that were the case, He would take us straight home to live with Him. Instead, we remain here in the world. And why? Because we still have work to do. The Lord has not only planned our salvation, but He has also planned for us to glorify Him by our present works. They do not save us or change our standing in His eyes; on the other hand, our actions are to bless others and point them to our Savior. It takes a load off of my shoulders to know that the work of Christ has saved me, and everything I do should be an expression of my thankfulness and praise to Him.
“But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” – Ephesians 2:13
For the Lord
The last mention of creation that we will explore is found in chapter 4 verse 24: “…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” The verses beforehand are talking about the life of a believer, namely about our transformation from the old, sinful nature into one in the image of Christ. Once we trust in His sacrifice we are justified, no longer slaves to sin. But there is now a continual process of becoming more like Jesus every day of our lives. His grace transforms us and helps us grow in holiness, and as we walk with Him we become less like the world around us. It is a journey that will last our entire lives, and when we arrive in glory we will be completely free from our flesh and renewed to serve the Lord forever.
“Behold, I am making all things new.” – Revelation 21:5
May we remember our purpose as new creations in Christ as we serve Him with our lives!
Written by NBB Alumna: Rachael English
