Have you recently created something? A painting with your kids? A sketch while waiting on hold? Photos that you’ve taken and edited? Music that you’ve played?
As people, created in the image of God, we have been given the ability to create drawings, paintings, sculptures, tattoos, music, videos, and literature. However, we use created materials like pencils, paper, paint, rocks, ink, instruments, and cameras. And in art we can only simply recreate what God has already created. I always find it interesting when watching art shows like Face/Off or Ink Master that the artists get so passionate about their pieces. They’re told to be creative but the only thing they can do is draw or sculpt what God has already created, and if it’s “creative” it’s simply just distorting an animal to look a bit different than the original. Many of what these artists come up with is amazing, and it definitely takes great talent and hard work to accomplish what they do. But God is on a completely different level when it comes to creation. He, according to Genesis 1:2, created ex-nihilo, or out of nothing. The Bible says, “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 Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” That’s absolutely incredible! Where’s Jesus? Colossians 1:15-16 says, “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Jesus created “all things” listed in Colossians 1 from nothing. He is the all-powerful Creator of the universe. In six days He created light, darkness, the sun, stars, moon, the planets, sky, the oceans, mountains, trees, rocks, every kind of animal, and human beings. Everything that we appreciate in our environments, He created from nothing. It seems like it would be impossible to create from nothing, but it isn’t a challenge for an all-powerful God. He formed Adam from the dust of the ground, breathed life into his nostrils, and, after Adam didn’t find a helper suitable for him, He made Eve from Adam’s rib. His care for the pinnacle of creation is evident in how He created our first parents. Approximately 4,500 years later, from Mary, who was a descendant of Adam and Eve, came the God-man Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This is another seemingly impossible event that takes place in history. The eternal God the Father sends the eternal God the Son who is conceived by the eternal God the Spirit in a young virgin woman. This baby is miraculously conceived for us. There was nothing in Mary’s womb, but now she is carrying the Son of God! Jesus came from heaven to put on human flesh to perfectly love God and love people as truly God and truly man. He did this for us because as sinners, we literally can’t do this. His perfect life made Him the sinless sacrifice for our sins, providing a way for salvation where there was no way. He was crucified as the spotless Lamb of God and rose again victorious three days later. He created our salvation from seemingly nothing, from seeming impossibility. Next time you read the creation story for yourself or to your children, or you reflect on the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, remember that everything that was created, everything that we enjoy, was created from nothing, it was formless and void. Then reflect on the deadness of your soul, the condemnation you should have received for your rebellion against God, the impossibility of your salvation by your own works, rituals, or striving and remember that your have been regenerated and given life from nothing. Nothing you did earned your salvation. Rather, it’s everything that Christ did that grants us life. Acts 17:28 says, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” When we’re praying for our unsaved friends and family or talking to people about the gospel, we should remember that Jesus Christ, who created the universe out of nothing, can also bring life to sinners who are dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). From hearts of stone He can create hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). He is the all-powerful God the Creator. Repent and believe this good news today!