Ephesians 4:11–16 (NLT)
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:21–32 (NLT)
21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Creating Safe Spaces for God to Create Masterpieces
Creativity is a messy wonder. Here are some pictures to consider:
When thinking about any of these masterpieces, images of a creative genius’ workspace filled with tools, materials, ingredients, and products may come to mind. It’s rarely a neat and tidy thing. Even items used to keep everything “clean, organized, and safe” create clutter. Drop cloths, aprons, painters tape, tins, bins, gloves, instruction manuals, baskets, toolboxes, cleaners, safety goggles, and trashcans are usually scattered about. It’s just messy.
Adding to this chaotic vibe is the creative process itself. Which is usually a looooong, nonlinear journey of trial and error, learning, playing, adjusting, messing up, fixing and reworking. Sometimes it involves tossing and starting over…and over…and over…
In Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul describes humans as God’s masterpieces. This verse is not pointing to the understood fact from Genesis 1:27 that we are created “in the image of God.” Paul says we are “created anew in Christ Jesus” (or just “in Christ Jesus” depending on the version) to draw our attention to God’s creative process of restoring broken and fallen humans back to their original design. “In His image.” This journey starts when a person enters into a relationship with Him and doesn’t end until Heaven.
But the creativity doesn’t end here. Scripture reveals another pet DIY project God has in the works. Like putting skillfully crafted stones together to form a building, He’s piecing us, His “masterpieces in progress” together to create an even bigger work of art referred to as “A Holy Temple.” Also known as The Body of Christ. Or The Family of God.
It’s a beautiful picture. But it has implications. Messy ones. Because no one is finished yet, wet paint, soft clay, sticky glue, unmixed ingredients, unsanded wood, unfastened pieces held with pins, wrong notes, and unedited words sometimes bump up against each other. Ugliness happens. No “masterpiece in progress” is exempt or above this. Which is why in order to protect every potential masterpiece in the room, we must listen for the Master Artist’s guidance for creating wide-open, safe spaces around one another in which He can do His shaping and crafting. Paul describes unity (that comes from following His leadership) as a sense of safety in being together even though we are messy, unfinished products. And he says in Ephesians 4:15-16 that this unity is dependent on each one of us allowing God to help us become as spiritually mature as possible.
Spiritual maturity can be an intimidating concept. But it’s not the same thing as having perfectly perfect behavior. In all situations. At all times. Nor is it a state of being flawless and faultless. While perfection is certainly God’s end goal for each of us, this finished product won’t emerge until heaven so we can just relax and take it off the table for now (Hebrews 12:23, Philippians 3:12-14 and 20-21).
Here’s how Scripture describes what a spiritually mature person this side of Heaven actually looks like. (CAUTION: Do not read the following as a list of goals to work on and master, but rather “fruits” of the Spirit one can experience while spending quality one-on-one time with Jesus.)
A mature Christian…
In other words, spiritual maturity is an acknowledgement of human imperfections (in self and others) and the need for God’s help and guidance to deal with them well. It’s what makes a “masterpiece in progress” safe for other “masterpieces in progress” to be around.
We don’t have to be afraid of or frustrated with the unfinished versions of ourselves or others. Even the worst of mistakes, hardest of trials, and most challenging of human conflicts can be shaped into stunning works of eye-catching art that reveal our Master Artist’s genius.
His job is to make masterpieces. Our job is to let Him by giving in to the process ourselves, and then coming alongside, empathizing with, encouraging, and supporting our fellow “masterpieces in progress.” And allowing them to do the same for us. This is the best way we “fit” together and wind up looking like pretty stunning works of art.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ESV
Reflection Questions
1. What does it look and feel like for a church to be an art studio where everyone is an unfinished masterpiece God is still working on? How does this understanding influence the things we do and ways we interact in a church as opposed to other places?
2. Are there any "unfinished" things in myself or others that make me feel uncomfortable, afraid, or angry?
2. How does understanding that spiritual maturity is not always having perfect words and behaviors, but rather, a mindset about how to view and respond to "masterpieces in progress" influence how I handle "unfinished" things in myself and others?