What's That "P" Word?

Every so often I get asked about the title of my Ladies Bible Study called Poiema>>.  The one inquiring usually is asking what the word means and did I make it up.  It affords me a great opportunity to share the meaning of this Greek word and, more importantly, my vision and passion for making disciples of Christ.  The key in doing so is creating a sense of spiritual destiny in their hearts.



The word Poiema is found in Ephesians 2:20:  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  In this translation the word is “workmanship”.  The real meaning is “masterpiece”.

Several things spring up in my heart when I read these words:

1. As a believer you were created to be a stunning work of art. You have a pre-determined destiny of being conformed to the image of Christ Himself, the perfect Son in whom dwelt all the fullness of the God-head bodily.  (Romans 8: 28-29, Colossians 2:9)
2. You are not the artist; God is.  We cannot achieve the image of Christ by our own good intentions or self-discipline.  The filling with the resurrecting power of Christ in you is the transforming agent. Surrender to His control will unleash the metamorphosis. (Romans 8:10-11)
3. The transformation occurs from the inside out.  This process is called sanctification.  You grow more like Jesus “from glory to glory”.  This occurs as you allow the Spirit to renew your mind, control your will and produce fruit in your being.  (II Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23)
4. Your transformation into a masterpiece will be blessed with fruit or good works.  As His work of art, God has pre-planned a job for you to do.  You are given spiritual gifts to use to edify the church and spread the gospel.  But remember, the works are not the masterpiece; you are, as you reflect the beauty of The Lord.  (I Corinthians 12: 4-7)

You may be asking, “So how can I be certain that God is achieving His greatest glory in my life and work?  What is my part and what is His part in the process?”  The recipe for spiritual growth is found in II Peter 3:18: but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...  To fulfill our destiny in Christ we need two things: knowledge and grace.  Grace is all that God is now free to accomplish in your life because of what Christ has done for you.  It is poured out on those who humble themselves.  (I Peter 5:5>>)  Knowledge is obtained through the Word, His great and precious promises.  In them is everything we need for life and godliness. (II Peter 1: 2-4>>)  The next verse in this passage contains an exhortation to “apply all diligence” to obtain this knowledge and access this grace in order to become actual partakers in the divine nature of Christ.

The great sculptor Michelangelo was asked how he was able to create his masterpiece in marble, The David.  He replied, “I just took my chisel and removed all the material that was not David.”  My friend, this is what God is doing for you.  He is chiseling away everything that is not Jesus about you until He perfects you in heaven, forever.  Submit to Him, and become a masterpiece of God.