You may not think of yourself as a creative person, but you are! Each one of us was created – literally – as a creative being. In fact the very first chapter of the Bible informs us (Genesis 1:26): “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The Lord even repeats that important bit of information two more times in the very next verse alone. Our creativity reflects God’s creativity. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:1-3). Our book of beginnings captures God as the Sovereign Creator, and as the ultimate example of creativity.
We know from the days of the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-11) that the Spirit of God fills men and women so that we can create. The first recorded “filling” was in the life of a construction superintendent – a Spirit-anointed contractor and craftsman. The Lord has more than preaching on His list of things that need to be done. When it’s all said and done, He wants more done than said. Christ calls and empowers each of us to move from instruction to construction.
It’s been thrilling for me to lead our church through the “FORWARD” series. I see creativity erupting in our midst! Creativity for the glory of God.
I see men and women, and young people, seeking to minister Christ’s timeless gospel in new and creative ways. This is good, because you and I have been invited to participate in what God is doing in the world. He’s still creating! For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised … Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:14-21).
This passage highlights several dimensions of God’s creativity in the Person and work of Christ. Because of His perfect sacrifice on our behalf, we are made new creations in Him! God’s work of creativity includes our spiritual rebirth, and goes on to include grace upon grace in our sanctification: we are conformed to His likeness (Romans 8:29). Did you ever think of yourself as a creative masterpiece? You are! Not only that, but God calls us to join in His work of redemption by sharing with others His message of reconciliation.
And we have more newness to look forward to – the good news of Christ’s cosmic plan for the ages just gets better and better! Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:1-5a).
Our God has promised to make all things new. Sin and death will be banished from Christ’s eternal kingdom. This is our certain hope as His people. God’s creativity will forever reflect His matchless power and glory, and call forth our loudest praise. Oswald Chambers said it like this: “The one true mark of a saint of God is the inner creativity that flows from being totally surrendered to Jesus Christ.”
So, friends, by all means keep on creating!
Pastor Charles
My Pastor Charles:
First things first. I wish to tell you what a most important place you have in my heart. You are a wonderful influence on our family. Ron and Kandy love you!!
We have moved from Mission Viejo to Clovis CA and have been attending First Baptist Church of Clovis.
I remember walking onto their campus and a greeter asked me “How long have you been a Baptist?” My reply “about five minutes.” -I haven’t changed. We are now Greeters and enjoy that ministry.