Workmanship

"For me, it's not the absence of knowledge; but failure to properly apply that which I already know. I guess I need the Spirit's help on that".

Robert S.

Robert is a close and valued friend of mine.  His comment on the study of Knowledge last week struck a chord with me.  This is in fact a big issue for most of us.  Imagine for a moment if we could all make use of all the Godly learning we have received in our lifetime.  We could literally change the world.  Well, God understands this as well.  In fact, the idea began with Him.  He calls this characteristic "Workmanship".  So, to Robert, and  the rest of us, let us scratch the surface of this wonderful asset God has made available to us.

The Importance of Workmanship:

Most folks when confronted with the word "workmanship" would immediately think of craftsmanship, skilled abilities, or someone that is a hard and efficient worker.  In fact the Bible reflects this exact idea as well.  

And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment.  1Chronicles 28:21

God, speaking of Lucifer before the fall described him in this way;

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.  Ezekiel 28:13 

  
God tells us that Lucifer was a creature of wondrous beauty, of immense talent and an amazing musician.  A cherub of the highest degree.  Yes, Lucifer was an amazing example of the Holy Spirit of Workmanship.  But workmanship doesn't start with the hands.  It starts with the heart.  It is a condition that is grown in one's self by the filling of God's Holy Spirit, as is described in Exodus;

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.  Exodus 31:3

And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;  Exodus 35:31

The Old Testament gives us an awesome understanding of His wondrous works by physical examples.  Workmanship is but one example of this.  As with the craftsmen in Exodus, and Lucifer described in Ezekiel, God has created His most magnificent work in us through Christ.  Paul explains it this way;

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

See, here's the deal.  God fills us with His Holy Spirit of Workmanship to be useable for Him.  Of all the verses on workmanship, it is always connected to someone in service of Him.  When God inspires Paul to write those words in Ephesians, He is talking of the work He is doing in us by His Son, Jesus.  This is why our salvation is not of Our work, but of His work in us.  

The next point can't be overstated.  The reason we are a work by God in Christ is to give us what we need to be a participant of good works.  In other words we are a beautiful work by the hands of God and are expected to be Christ-like and continue in His good works as well.  We need to be that skilled workman, not of brass, gold and wood, but of love, joy, peace, forgiveness, patience, etc.  Isn't that cool.  We are called to be professional, skilled laborers for God!

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity  Titus 2:7

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)   And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.  Hebrews 10:22-24

I must reiterate here that the works we do are not unto salvation, but because of salvation.  It is not of ourselves, but of Christ within us.  As Paul writes:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

The practical use of Workmanship:

So, we are a product of good works done by God.  How do we "provoke unto love and to good works"?  One way is to study God's Word as was mentioned last week!

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.   2Timothy 2:15

But Bob, I thought we were going to learn how workmanship was to help us become more knowledgeable?   Well we are.  As you learn of workmanship, and how God shows us the physical example in the Old Testament of skilled craftsmen compare to how God is crafting a good work in us by the skilled hands of Christ Jesus, we become more knowledgeable, and we become a product of good works!  You see, God's concept of becoming perfected is a little at a time, here a little, there a little;

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.  For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:  Isaiah 28:9-10

The idea that we can become like Christ in a matter of a minute of prayer isn't realistic.  We become perfected in time.  We are protected by the righteousness of Christ, received by faith through Grace.  And this by hearing, not just an audible act, but by active listening, and believing...thus learning.  When we learn, we then act on the information...good works!  See how this works?  As we "work" God's words within us, we then become more proficient with the knowledge He has given us. 

For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.   Hebrews 5:13-14

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  James 1:25

So, the beauty of workmanship doesn't stop with a spiritual aspect, it begins there.  It then permeates our entire being of becoming more proficient in our daily work, or relationships, in the activities we love to do, and the activities we do to get by.  You see, God loves us and wants us to be as good as we can be in all aspects of our life.  

Want to be more organized?  Pray for workmanship.  Want to be more efficient at work?  Pray for workmanship.  Want to be able to be better understood, to be more articulate, to be more precise?  Pray for workmanship.  Do you want to be a better minister for God?  Workmanship is the answer.

This is by no means the ultimate study on workmanship, but just a glimpse on how it can help.  Now the challenge.  To be a workman, and to show thyself approved, work that which God has given you.  Don't try to do all things at once...here a little, there a little.  Keep in mind that God wants you to succeed.  He will give you what you need.  That is what the comforter is for!

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  John 14:26

May God fill you with the Holy Spirit characteristic of workmanship this week.  Now get out there and do good works!  Here's a few verses to consider for daily devotions.

James 1:26                        John 14:10

Galatians 3:5                     Psalm 40:5

Galatians 2:16                   Titus 3:5-8

Hebrews 9:14                    Romans 1:20