“…that you may know…what (are) the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18
Dear Ones:
How does one measure the value, or worth, of a life? The answer is found in the heart of God, the creator of every life. It was the Psalmist who wrote: “Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is HE that has made us, and not we ourselves.” (Ps. 100:3) Man was created “good,” as all that God created was good, the very reflection of His nature and purpose. However, it must be said that man has ceased to BE good, except as there would be the slight traces and remnants of God’s goodness revealed in and through him. In fact, Paul writes that “…there is none that does good, no not one.”(Rom. 3:12) The Lord Jesus would tell the rich, young ruler, “…there is none good but one, that is God.” (Matt. 19:17) When Adam walked the earth before sin entered into the world, God chose to set His love on him because of what he was by God’s making. Since the fall, when Adam sinned, and God’s judgment came, God still chose to set His love on man, though sinful. The worth of Adam was given to him by God. Today, that worth is the same, only now, man can only become good, complete, and accepted by God, by virtue of Christ’s finished work on Calvary. The worth that God has placed upon man is unimaginable, and incalculable, because it is eternal. It is fully manifested in Christ.
The Lord Jesus is the Master teller of parables, stories, that illustrate certain truths which reveal to us His heart and ways; we might even say also, the worth that he puts on life. In the parable of the shepherd who had ninety-nine sheep, but discovered that there remained one that was still out in the wilderness and mountains, lost and helpless, and which would surely die, Christ reveals to us the heart of God. He reveals the clear and distinct difference between the shepherd and the sheep. The shepherd is the guardian of the sheep, and though he is far superior in every way from the sheep, he has CHOSEN to identify himself, and all that he has and is, with the sheep, to assure its well-being. There is no hesitation in his heart with regard to where he must go, how long it will take him, and the confrontation with perils and dangers that he may encounter, to find and save the helpless and hopeless sheep. The worth, or value, that he places on this sheep is determined by his love and compassion that he has CHOSEN to have for the sheep. It is NOT something that the sheep has earned, nor acquired in any way, or by any means. It is the simple, but complete, love of the shepherd, for the sheep that sets the value.
In Jesus’ parable of the lost son, He again illustrates the deep workings in the heart of the father who loves his son. Apparently the family of this son was a believing one, as he spoke of sinning against heaven, and getting right with God and his father. It is almost certain that this believing father was looking every day down the road that his son had taken to leave home. The father was resolved in his expectation of seeing his son come home again. One day, the father recognized him, even though a long way off. Scripture tells us that this father ran…and kissed him. How great, and unreserved, was his love for this son. Why did the son, who had squandered his father’s inheritance, find such love and acceptance, in the eyes of his father? It would be because of the worth of the son to the father, and this because of great love, a love that was fixed upon him…never faltering.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see Thy love, and the worth, and value, that you place upon of every life. Open our eyes to see the Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd, who came to seek us, die for us, and win us, on the cross. We praise You for such love, and the worth that it creates. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad
Precious truths…