A masterpiece is a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship. There are great literary masterpieces, and great works of art. An expert or enthusiast, could spend weeks and weeks pouring over a piece of art and continue discovering something new, a “new beauty or joy.” They say that they can find some new part of the painting, a certain stroke of the brush, a use of color or some other fine detail that others never see.
If there is that much beauty and intricate detail in a painting, a creation of man, how much truer of God’s creation. A creation so vast we haven't discovered its full splendor much less study and observe it.
What Is God’s Greatest Masterpiece?
You could give many different answers to that question. Many would say that God’s greatest masterpiece is the sunset that paints the evening sky or the millions of stars that twinkle so beautifully each night. Others might point to the majestic mountain ranges or the mighty, rushing rivers. And some might say the flowers that bloom in the spring or the many amazing creatures that populate our planet.
All those masterpieces are impressive, but none of them are the greatest that God has created. If you are a Christian, you saw one of these works of art already today . . . that is, if you looked in a mirror. Yes, YOU are the greatest of God’s masterpieces.
God’s greatest masterpieces have been created twice.
Here’s that first creation
Genesis 1:26-27 NASB Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Here's the second.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
You "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. "
If there is that much beauty and intricate detail in a painting, a creation of man, how much truer of God’s creation. A creation so vast we haven't discovered its full splendor much less study and observe it.
What Is God’s Greatest Masterpiece?
You could give many different answers to that question. Many would say that God’s greatest masterpiece is the sunset that paints the evening sky or the millions of stars that twinkle so beautifully each night. Others might point to the majestic mountain ranges or the mighty, rushing rivers. And some might say the flowers that bloom in the spring or the many amazing creatures that populate our planet.
All those masterpieces are impressive, but none of them are the greatest that God has created. If you are a Christian, you saw one of these works of art already today . . . that is, if you looked in a mirror. Yes, YOU are the greatest of God’s masterpieces.
God’s greatest masterpieces have been created twice.
Here’s that first creation
Genesis 1:26-27 NASB Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Here's the second.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
You "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. "
Discover Your Purpose
Editor's Note: The following is from the "Discover Your Purpose", YouVersion Reading Plan written by renowned pastor and author Tony Evans
The great Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet – Michelangelo, once said, “In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.”
In every imperfect, jagged-edged, bulky and unshaped block of marble he set his eyes on, Michelangelo saw the treasure within. He once described the process this way, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” He could do this because Michelangelo didn’t see what the marble was, he saw what the marble would be.
He saw a masterpiece.
This is similar to how God sees you along every step of the path to your destiny. Because you are a masterpiece. In the book of Ephesians, we read about this, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
The Greek word used as “workmanship” in this verse referring to you, me and every child of God is poiēma, from where we also get our English word poem. This word denotes a “work of art” or a “masterpiece.” You are “that which has been made” as “a work of God.” You are His poiēma. You weren’t created on the assembly line or as a random object thrown together to fill up space or time. When God made you, He went to work – intentionally and delicately crafting your personality, looks, passions, skills, even allowing your imperfections, and planting your dreams all into one magnificent work of art.
You are His masterpiece. You are God’s handiwork. What’s more – you were made with a purpose. And that purpose includes more than merely showcasing your talents. It involves impacting your world for good through fulfilling your destiny in all the places and ways God has positioned you to do so.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for making me the masterpiece that I am. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and with your powerful presence in my life, I am able to live out my destiny to its fullest. Thank you for the wonderful plans you have in store for me and may I be used as a blessing to impact others for good.
Editor's Note: The following is from the "Discover Your Purpose", YouVersion Reading Plan written by renowned pastor and author Tony Evans
The great Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet – Michelangelo, once said, “In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.”
In every imperfect, jagged-edged, bulky and unshaped block of marble he set his eyes on, Michelangelo saw the treasure within. He once described the process this way, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” He could do this because Michelangelo didn’t see what the marble was, he saw what the marble would be.
He saw a masterpiece.
This is similar to how God sees you along every step of the path to your destiny. Because you are a masterpiece. In the book of Ephesians, we read about this, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
The Greek word used as “workmanship” in this verse referring to you, me and every child of God is poiēma, from where we also get our English word poem. This word denotes a “work of art” or a “masterpiece.” You are “that which has been made” as “a work of God.” You are His poiēma. You weren’t created on the assembly line or as a random object thrown together to fill up space or time. When God made you, He went to work – intentionally and delicately crafting your personality, looks, passions, skills, even allowing your imperfections, and planting your dreams all into one magnificent work of art.
You are His masterpiece. You are God’s handiwork. What’s more – you were made with a purpose. And that purpose includes more than merely showcasing your talents. It involves impacting your world for good through fulfilling your destiny in all the places and ways God has positioned you to do so.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for making me the masterpiece that I am. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and with your powerful presence in my life, I am able to live out my destiny to its fullest. Thank you for the wonderful plans you have in store for me and may I be used as a blessing to impact others for good.
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