The Masterpiece

by Francine Rivers

She hadn’t come to faith because someone gave her all the answers. She came to faith because she met and talked with someone who made her feel enveloped by God’s love.

“I’ve never known anyone who needed the Lord more than you do.”

This isn’t what I want for you, beloved. Leave this place.

“Girls play at sex to get love, and guys play at love to get sex. Charlene and I wanted to do everything God’s way. That meant staying virgins until we got married.”

“What I’m trying to tell you is sex is powerful. In the right context, it’s a beautiful gift from God. Used in the wrong way, it can wound and break hearts. It can ruin lives.”

He might only be seven, but he knew what Mama let men do to her so she could pay the rent.

The apology made Bobby Ray feel the hard punch of wrongness in everything about Mama’s life.

“If sex is the only thing you want, leave her alone. Grace isn’t the kind of girl who hooks up with a guy and won’t care when he walks away.”

He hadn’t forced her to give up anything, but he’d known how to make her feel guilty enough to surrender all her dreams so he could attain his.

Gracie prayed they would go to heaven to see Mommy and Jesus.

“Check your nightstand. I’ll bet you find a Gideon Bible.”

“She said he needed her. He’d been waiting for her all his life. He knew just what she wanted to hear.

thought I was immune. I thought I’d learned my lesson about men.

“As long as I’m here, I’ll be tempted to contact Roman. And I’d be a fool if I did. My mind tells me he wants all the physical benefits without any responsibilities, but my heart is deceitful.”

benefits.” “I’m glad you passed on it. Most relationships that start out that way don’t end well.”

Charm always sends up a red flag for me. Patrick’s sudden interest in you screamed of selfish motives.”

She had suffered more from guilt and hurt pride than a broken heart.

“I share the blame. If I’d brought you up to know your worth, you might not have sold yourself short. Sometimes women love too much and lose themselves completely.”

“Why did you go to that club in the first place? It was so . . .” She shook her head. “Out of character.” Grace sighed. “I don’t know. I was depressed and lonely. Shanice loves to dance. Patrick and Virginia’s baby was due that week.”

The club had been packed, the sensuous beat of the music loud, people dancing like pagan worshipers.

“The only difference between most of the people inside these walls and the outside world is we know we’re sinners. Chin up, my girl.”

Maybe Grace had to be out of his life in order for him to get right with God.

She got up early every morning to read the Bible and spend time in prayer. That quiet time steadied her for the rest of her busy day.

Martin’s mouth twisted in a cynical half smile as he leaned back. “Tell me what it was like in hell.”

expression. “Someday you’ll see it for yourself.”

don’t get it, Roman. Why is it some people can get away with everything, and then along comes someone sweet like Grace, and she can’t even act out one time without paying the full price.”

He’d only been seven, but he’d felt the evil in the man’s intentions.

“The landlord had just sold me. If you and that police officer had arrived five minutes later, I would’ve been gone and probably long dead by now.”

“Most students remember the upper-class teachers in high school and forget all about the ones they had in the first few years, the unsung heroes who teach the basics.”

Roman’s heart ached for the fear and uncertainty she’d suffered because of one night of forgetting herself.

He’d been saved when she left, but he hadn’t been a Christ follower. And that made a fundamental difference in who he had been and who he was now.

we’re being honest, I left because I knew if I stayed, I wouldn’t be strong enough to say no a second time.”

If we keep Jesus front and center, we’ll make it through whatever this life throws at us.”

“We’re all God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ.”

“For His good purpose.”

Can two broken individuals find wholeness together? With Christ, all things are possible, but what if faith is lacking?

The prevailing cultural view seems to be everyone will go to heaven no matter what they’ve done or not done or what they believe. Advocates of this belief say God is love, and there is no hell. In truth, Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven. Research showed me there are near-death experiences that are not full of light and joy, but are horrific and terrifying.