Jenny Gregg
Director of Discipleship
November 2015

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  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 2:8-10 NLT)

Sometimes, I enjoy watching “Flip this House” on TV. The 'flipping' process begins with a search for a property loaded with potential. By outward appearance, the house may be horrifying enough to send the most adventurous home-buyers screaming. But successful flippers see the house for what it may become—not what is right now. They quickly purchase the seemingly worthless property, and the flipping process immediately begins.

God Recognizes a Diamond in the Rough

But God has shown us how much He loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8 GNT)

Jesus is the ultimate flipper, and we are His houses. When He looks at us, He doesn’t focus on the leaky roof, the cracked foundation, or the termite damage—He sees in us the beautiful finished product we can become. That is, until the actually flipping begins!

Once the flipping (transforming) process begins, He works tirelessly with laser-like focus on what needs to happen in order to get the job done. He methodically identifies the problems and flaws that need to be corrected and determines the optimal sequence and timeline for the whole project. Everything He does has a purpose, and even the random mishaps and complications are dealt with and utilized for His goals.

God Never Throws in the Towel

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

The seasoned house flipper never gives up until the job is done; likewise, God doesn’t give up on us! Our whole lives, from the moment we invite Jesus to have mercy on us and take control of every part of us, are one big renovation project. And God promises that He will get the job done!

Our Part in the Process

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. (Colossians 3:2-4 MSG)

Our response to all this should be to look at the transforming process from God’s perspective. When we recognize the part God plays in renovating us, we can play our part—cooperating with Him, not trying to hide damage and sin from His skilled hands, and always trusting Him as the Foreman who understands the big picture. We can also anticipate with great excitement the day when we will be unveiled as finished projects—glorious masterpieces of God.