Recognition for what we do is a tricky thing. I Corinthians 4:7 already takes the wind out of the sails of pride when it comes to our giftings, because they are just that—gifts from God.
Second, idolizing recognition on the job can turn into a substitute for the Father’s acceptance of us through Christ. We would never say that achievement and success in this world is superior to God’s acceptance of us, but when we define ourselves solely by recognition by others and deem ourselves to be failures when we’re not recognized, and/or work feverishly for that recognition, that is actually demonstrating what we truly believe. In contrast, if we’re living according to the truths of the Gospel, we are neither lazy or workaholics—we do all that we do so that we can be in fellowship with God and know His glory.
Some people are called to influence people on a larger scale; others are called to influence people on a smaller, more intimate level. What is the difference to those of us who have been saved by grace, freed from sin, and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb? Let us therefore work with a quiet and trusting heart, knowing that God’s spirit is there to guide us and ensure that God’s glory is being seen through us, and let us rejoice in that alone. Workmanship in that sense is about taking pride in doing things with excellence, because we realize that in doing so, we are image-bearers of God himself.
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