Living in Increase (Part 5) - Increase in FaithSample

A Masterpiece

Recently, someone gave away a dusty, worthless picture to a thrift store that had been sitting around for many months. One day, a single mother of four wanted her family to have a special holiday celebration, so she decided to decorate their home. She headed out to her local thrift store, perusing the aisles with excitement and expectation that she would find something to dress up her home. Suddenly, she came across the dusty, worthless picture that someone had dropped off months prior. She thought, “This is perfect for my home and family.” She picked up the painting and went to the register to pay for her prized possession. When she got home, she carefully cleaned up the picture. Before placing it on the wall, she noticed an unusual, original signature on the painting. A few days later, after some careful research, she discovered the painting was valued at over $500,000!

The previous owners had no idea what they had in their possession, and because they didn’t know the item’s worth, they passed it on as not having much value. The power of Salvation, which is being restored, is like this story. Because Salvation is a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), it sometimes can be passed on as not having much value. However, it is the most valuable commodity on earth! While Salvation is free to us, it cost Jesus everything on the cross. Like the woman rescuing the dusty picture from the thrift store, God redeems and delivers us from the curse of death and seats us in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).

Even with all our dust and imperfections, God’s redemptive power, Salvation, offers us forgiveness and restoration! We are masterpieces in Christ Jesus!

Paulette Baker

Action Step: Share with a family member or friend how God’s redemptive power has changed your life. This is sharing your testimony!