Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam (c. 1512), part of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, is considered an archetypal masterpiece of painting.
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 of those masterpieces are impressive, but none of them are the greatest that God has created. If you are a Christian you probably 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.
Actually 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 of those masterpieces are impressive, but none of them are the greatest that God has created. If you are a Christian you probably 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.
Actually 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. "
Treat Every Person as God’s Masterpiece
By Rick Warren
“Treat everyone you meet with dignity” (1 Peter 2:17 The Message).
You are infinitely valuable to God. God created you. Jesus died for you. God puts his Spirit within you. And God wants you to be with him forever in eternity. That’s quite an investment God has made in you! He would not have done that if you were not of the greatest worth to him.
There are two things that make something valuable. The first is who made it. There’s a huge difference in the value of a Fabergé egg decorated with diamonds and the eggs you dye at Easter with your kids.
“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 2:10 NLT). God doesn’t create junk. God created you, and you are good! Before you were born, God planned out your purpose and who he wanted you to be. He does not make mistakes.
The value of something is also determined by what someone will pay for it.
How much is your house worth? It’s worth whatever anybody will offer. How much is a piece of art worth? Only what somebody’s willing to pay for it.
How much are you worth? Jesus Christ was willing to give his life: “He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:19 TLB). If you ever doubt your worth, just look at the cross. Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price for you. That’s how precious you are to him.
Jesus wants you to treat others as if they have the same value as you—because they do. God created everyone, and Jesus died for everyone. Every person in your life is precious to God, and he loves them unconditionally.
The way you love others will show them just how valuable they are to God.
By Rick Warren
“Treat everyone you meet with dignity” (1 Peter 2:17 The Message).
You are infinitely valuable to God. God created you. Jesus died for you. God puts his Spirit within you. And God wants you to be with him forever in eternity. That’s quite an investment God has made in you! He would not have done that if you were not of the greatest worth to him.
There are two things that make something valuable. The first is who made it. There’s a huge difference in the value of a Fabergé egg decorated with diamonds and the eggs you dye at Easter with your kids.
“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 2:10 NLT). God doesn’t create junk. God created you, and you are good! Before you were born, God planned out your purpose and who he wanted you to be. He does not make mistakes.
The value of something is also determined by what someone will pay for it.
How much is your house worth? It’s worth whatever anybody will offer. How much is a piece of art worth? Only what somebody’s willing to pay for it.
How much are you worth? Jesus Christ was willing to give his life: “He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:19 TLB). If you ever doubt your worth, just look at the cross. Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price for you. That’s how precious you are to him.
Jesus wants you to treat others as if they have the same value as you—because they do. God created everyone, and Jesus died for everyone. Every person in your life is precious to God, and he loves them unconditionally.
The way you love others will show them just how valuable they are to God.
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