Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The word created in Ephesians 2:10 caught my eye and I looked up the usage of the word and found ktizo {ktid’-zo}. Root: probably akin to 2932 (through the idea of proprietor-ship of the manufacturer) This week we are looking for deeper meaning, so let us once again examine the root and see where it leads us.

ktaomai

1) to acquire, get, or procure a thing for one’s self, to possess

a) to marry a wife

This takes the creative process far beyond the imagination, design and development stages. Seeing this goes deep into the heart of the creator, exposing His intentions. It is one thing to say I was born, but it takes on a whole new level of awareness to say I was born to be the bride of the creator of heaven and earth. That is some kind of special which goes far beyond the gratitude I feel for being saved from my sins. We are created to love God and be loved by God. We are created just for Him.

We tell our children that they were born because we love children and wanted children to love. That is special, but how special is it to think that all creation, the heavens and the earth, the stars and all the wonders of the universe were created just for that purpose? Do you feel special? You should.

All God is asking for creating this universe we live in and enjoy is to love Him in return. Is that too much to ask?

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Many years ago I sat in the front row of a church I was attending. The teacher pointed at me and asked me for the definition of grace. My answer was; “The outpouring of God’s love in my life.” He looked at me disappointed, and called on another member and received the answer he was looking for; “unmerited favor.” I’d heard it so many times before, why couldn’t I come up with the book answer?

The first usage of grace is found in Genesis where Noah found grace in God’s eyes. This looking upon was from God’s perspective, not Noah’s. Teachers often teach grace as a gift received, without merit. In the Hebrew grace is chen, with two primary definitions. One definition is favor, the other is loathsome. This is the root of understanding of the legalistic mind that cannot hold two opposing thoughts to be true at the same time.

In the opening verse grace in the Greek is charis, literally meaning appearance. It is the root to our words charisma, charming, and charismatic. They denote a pleasant and desirable appearance, influence and emulation soon follow. Outwardly we could look at John 1:16 as not all that different from Genesis 6:8 in the face of the word received, but here is where the Old Testament and New Testament differ, grace for grace.

God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts to be seen, the appearance of Christ in our lives. We are given grace to exhibit grace. The Old Testament view was to take it in, receive it and keep it to yourself. I call this view legalistic in that it edifies no one. The value of grace is that it can be and should be seen. We are called to be salt and light, and grace can no longer be grace if it is not shown, to appear, to reveal itself to others.

My teacher so many years ago heard a word from the Lord but shunned it because it did not fit his lesson plan. Grace would have recognized itself, embraced it and thrown the lesson plan aside. Legalism sticks to the letter and will not budge in the light of truth. Legalism is unyielding and hardens the heart.

According to John 1:16 you have received the fullness of Christ. The spirit of truth guides you and will help you identify that which edifies and that which does not. If it edifies it is gracious.

I see much grace around me. Thank you Lord.