Christians Have Great Value

At times the world will attempt to overwhelm us with its noise and bright lights. And because a righteous person does not normally steal, lie and stab others in the back, it makes our life appear weak. The truth is very different when the results of our lives are studied. If all the Christians were suddenly removed from society, it would result in a dangerous, nasty mess for those left behind. Christians do have value on this earth.

This still begs the question, “Why would we have “great” value?” The simple answer is that God loves us and even lives inside of us. This makes us very different from the unsaved. God’s first level of love for humans is that we are His creation. Most of us have made things and we just love our own work; even if it’s ugly. But God values us for other reasons. Humans only have great value when God can make us useful in His purpose. 

The next proof of God’s love is an intricate plan for our redemption. This complex plan involves work on earth by both His Son and Spirit. The Bible says: …you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:11 (NLT). Knowledge of the life and death of Jesus is overwhelming but then the Spirit continues to live in us; this certainly shows that we have unknown value.

A Christian life is tough while we live on this earth but we find our meaning in God’s work. While we are doing Kingdom work the Lord stays with us. There is much to learn about our new everlasting life. We learn the ways of God while spending time worshiping Him. Then of course it is a privilege to deal with the world as we attempt to spread the Good News. Living with other believers requires some wisdom.

Faith is needed to see the next reason why we are valuable. Paul says:  But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! … Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Cor 15:51,54 (NLT). God would not bring us to live with Him if we did not have great value. 

Transformation is only possible with the loving power of the Spirit. He is pure, holy and can bring godliness into our earthly body. A continuing faith is needed as we look forward to the day when our salvation is completed in a physical transformation. This wonderful new body that we will receive shows how truly we are valued. God is going to give our body a place with Him that will last forever. Wow!

On top of everything else we receive rewards. The Bible says: It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Heb 11:6 (NLT). The faithful child of God will meet Him someday and be granted a position in the Kingdom and receive the right to share in the inheritance of God’s only begotten Son. We have value because we are a member of God’s family.

Humbly Go

People sometimes have a gentle nature. But this is not the same as the humility of the great and powerful God-person that is Jesus. Natural people don’t have the ability to represent our humble Savior when worldly forces are humiliating them. Then how is it possible for us to humbly go and represent the humble Gospel of Jesus to the world? The secret of course is contained in a new life that is provided by the power of the Spirit. 

God’s nature is pure love, among other things. A human can humble themselves when they have a pure love for someone. The Bible tells us: Always be humble…because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with (love and) peace. Eph 4:2-3 (NLT). The powerful new covenant that God has given has the purpose of changing our old nature to give us love for others.

The reality is, that compared to God, we are nothing and serving others is a lofty goal. The Scripture says: …all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God. 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT). Peter also says that there will be great reward for those who humbly accept their place. Adhering to Jesus is not about logic but our faith in God.

Our reasoning might say that humility will not work in this world. But Jesus said: Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:26-29 (NLT). We must accept that God’s goals are far above any human capability. 

Jesus came to earth for many reasons. One reason was to be an example to every human of the way God is. The night before the Son of God died, He got down on knees before the twelve disciples and did the unthinkable. Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. John 13:14-15 (NLT). God’s son did this and yet we refuse to do the same?

True humility is rare and is only possible by the power contained in the new covenant. The old covenant people could never reach the place of true humility. This is because they did not have the crucified Son of God. The Bible says: He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Phil 2:7-8 (NLT). 

Humans had never seen such humility. Most of them could not even understand what had happened. In fact people today cannot really understand until the Spirit reveals the truth to them individually. Each Christian must allow the humbleness of Jesus to be our priority as we go into the world with the Good News. The Savior has done so much for us that our thankfulness should humbly shine forth as the Spirit directs our daily life.