Overcoming the past ∙

Overcoming the past ∙

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:4-10

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are in Christ Jesus.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

The Father’s Love for You

Have you ever wondered what the Father thinks of you? Does He focus on your flaws, your mistakes, or the errors from your past? Do you sometimes worry that in light of these things, He might love you less? You don’t need to. The Father’s love for you is immeasurable. He knows everything about you—every thought, every action, every hidden moment—and He loves you just as you are.

The Father’s Masterpiece

Your past does not define your present, and it will not hinder your future. You are His unfinished masterpiece, a work in progress, shaped by grace and love. The canvas of your life is still being painted. Every stroke He adds, every color He blends, is part of His divine design to create something extraordinary.

By His grace, you are being shaped into the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. While we can only see the incomplete picture, the Father sees the finished portrait. His eternal eyes know exactly where your life needs His attention. Every disappointment, every frustration, and every triumph is a brushstroke with a purpose, part of the great promise that all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28) (Stanley).

The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are the Father’s workmanship, His creation, a display of His love and power. The Greek word Paul uses for “workmanship” is poiema, the root word for “poem” in English. It speaks of a work of art, a masterpiece created with intention and care. Each child of the King is a unique and priceless work of art, shaped by His loving hands. Ultimately, we will become His eternal showpiece.

His Masterpiece in Progress

The Father has made us what we are and will become (UBS). But none of us is finished. The Father continues to shape, refine, and create in us the person He intends us to become. His omniscient mind holds an eternal blueprint for your life, one that is both beautiful and purposeful. The process, however, is rarely easy. Sometimes, it feels like we are being chipped away at and sculpted until it hurts. Yet even in those painful moments, the Father’s hands are steady, and His vision is clear. He knows exactly what He is doing, working toward a final result that will reflect His glory and goodness.

A Life That Honors Him

He is the potter, and we are the clay. Instead of asking, “Why?” or “How much longer must I endure this?” perhaps we can simply say, “Ouch, Father, but I trust You.” Trust that the same hands shaping your life are the ones that hold the stars in place. Though we may struggle to see the purpose at the moment, He is creating a masterpiece—a life that will one day shine with honor and praise to Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

As we ponder our purpose, the question becomes, what has the Father created us to be and do?

Father, sometimes when You handle me, it hurts. Help me to trust You in those moments, knowing You see an eternal blueprint, and I do not. Thank You for shaping me with such love and care. May my life bring You honor, now and forever.

INSIGHT

The Father’s Work of Redemption

The Father’s ultimate mission is redemption. He is in the redemption business! He takes the raw, imperfect materials of our lives and transforms them into something extraordinary—a masterpiece of grace and love. By His power, we are renewed from the inside out.

This is an incredible truth, yet it often feels hard to fully grasp. Our lives frequently seem incomplete, messy, or broken. But the Father sees through this present reality. From His perfect perspective, He envisions the masterpiece we are becoming. He sees the finished work long before we can imagine it.

When He looks at us, He doesn’t focus on our flaws or failures. Instead, He sees His beloved, adopted children—filled with value, promise, and potential. Patiently and purposefully, He molds and shapes us, always working toward one ultimate goal. What is His endgame? It can be summed up in a single word—Christ! He is making us into the likeness of His Son.

As Paul describes in Romans 8:29: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.”

The Cost of Sin and the Heart of God

God is love, and sin is a crime committed not merely against His law but against His heart. Breaking a law can be justly atoned for, but breaking a heart requires something deeper. Think about that for a moment—sin doesn’t just violate God’s laws; it wounds Him. Sin is not so much breaking the Father’s law as it is breaking the Father’s heart (Barclay).

Why do we sin? It’s part of our fallen nature. We sin because sin is ingrained in our humanity, our fallen DNA. Yet Jesus Christ didn’t just die for our sins— He also died for our sin, that is, our sinful nature that separates us from God, the nature that defies and grieves Him.

Consider an imperfect but thought-provoking analogy. Imagine a driver recklessly causes the death of a child. He is arrested, convicted, and serves time in prison. Afterward, the law considers the matter resolved. But for the grieving mother, no fine or sentence could mend her hurt or restore the relationship. Only an act of free forgiveness on her part could bring healing.

This is how it is with God. Our sins are not simply against His laws—they are against His heart. Only His unmerited grace and free forgiveness can restore the relationship, putting us back into His loving arms (Barclay).

Grace Transforms Everything

But there is more. Herein lies the beautiful paradox of grace. Before we are saved, no good works can earn God’s love. Yet after experiencing His grace, good works become a natural response to His love and salvation. The Father remakes us not just to exist but to live a life of purpose and goodness, bringing honor and glory to Him.

“There is nothing mysterious about this. It is simply an inevitable law of love. If someone loves us deeply, though we know we cannot deserve that love, we feel compelled to live in a way that shows we are worthy of it” (Barclay).

That is our response to God’s grace. Though we can never earn His love, we are driven by gratitude to live a life that pleases Him. We strive to bring joy to His heart, aligning our actions with His will as outlined in His Word.

Moving Forward in Freedom

How do we overcome the weight of the past? Often, holding onto past regrets, pain, or failure is a conscious choice. The same is true of letting go and moving forward—it requires an intentional act of the will. There comes a moment when we must decide to remove the chains of the past and step into the freedom Christ offers.

“For the love of Christ compels us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Through His grace, we are no longer defined by who we were.

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© Dr. H 2025