December 6, 2006
God’s Work Of Art
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Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. —Colossians 3:10
Vincent Van Gogh bought a mirror and used his own likeness in many of his paintings. Rembrandt also used himself as a model, completing nearly 100 self-portraits. These artists had a good example, that of God Himself, who used His own likeness as the pattern for His crown jewel of creation (Gen. 1:27).
Henry Ward Beecher, the famous 19th-century clergyman, said, “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” In everything we create—works of art, music, literature, even our children—a bit of ourselves is revealed. The same is true of God; each of us reveals a bit of Him. The image may be tarnished, but it’s always there and is never beyond repair.
Superficial changes won’t fix what’s wrong with us, however. Clothes, cosmetics, and surgical procedures can make us look like everyone else, not like the unique masterpiece God designed each of us to be. We need a whole new “self” (Col. 3:10), one that is renewed in His image and dressed in the wardrobe of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering (v.12).
To improve your “self” image, put on the character of God and display His image in all its glory.
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. —Chisholm
