Some say that some people give others a ‘license’ to sin. That is not a novel idea because the author of sin is Satan, the father of lies. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:42-44.
Looking across the pages of Scripture I have not found this idea that anyone gives to another a so-called ‘license’ to sin. However, what I have found is this, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15. However, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Man is in a mess, a very real mess and the mess was present before he was given possession of the Garden. At that time Satan has been around for a very long time before he was given opportunity to tempt Adam and Eve. And it is in this context that we can understand Paul’s previous statement, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Recalling the events surrounding Adam and Eve, we know that they did physically escape the place of their sin, but the decision to leave Eden was God’s, not theirs. The scar of the sin was theirs to live with as the lives of their children are played out on the stage of darkness. They escaped the place, but horrors of their decision to follow the temptation of Satan remains to this very moment. The freedom to choose sin over righteousness continues. That is, the license to sin and the license to righteousness, as well. But in the end all is effectively accomplished according to the desires of God’s heart.
The desire of God’s heart is that mankind serve Him and Him only. Just as he instructed Moses and the Hebrews in the Wilderness of Sin,
"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites.” Joshua 24:14-15.
"And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, The will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the LORD is giving you.” Deuteronomy 11:13-17.
Reading God’s Word indicates that everyone who loves Him holds in place the license to sin or the license to righteousness. Just because a person possesses a license to drive is not given permission to disobey traffic laws without penalties.
My brother was driving above the speed limit and was stopped by a policeman and given a ticket, or as his son told his mother, “Daddy was stopped by a policeman and the policeman gave Daddy a note.” In other words, the policeman asked him for his license to drive and despite his license to drive, was still presented a ticket because the speed limit was broken. A penalty was paid. The same has happened to me, as well.
The God of Heaven and Earth, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ has presented us with the free gift of Eternal Life in Him, but this is not a license to sin. This is a an opportunity for everyone to go to Heaven despite our sin. Christ wants to live in the heart and direct the life of every person, but because He lives in the hearts of men and women is not permission or a license to sin. There remains no penalty for sin that is already paid for at Calvary 2000 years ago.
Believers in Jesus Christ are free in Him from the penalty of sin that will be committed by them. The freedom is to live in Him, not a license to sin, but the strength to live in freedom from the penalty of sin that has been cancelled. There is not fear for the sin committed, but rather the ability in Christ Jesus not to sin. This does not mean that sin will not be committed, but the ability to live without sin is certainly present. However, we will sin not because we are human, but because we will sometimes make decisions to sin rather than follow Jesus.
But John wrote, “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, you know the Father. write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:7-14.
A License to Sin? Hardly so. However, to know Christ is freedom from the penalty of sin when sin is committed. And praise the Lord, Jesus paid the price one time and for all time. Not to be repeated over and over again…..remember
.Hebrews 6? If not, read it again…….
Jesus said,, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Do You Have THE Answer?
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”1 Peter 3:15
I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is going to Heaven? After all, the Jew is the Chosen of God.” I have always answered, “No,” because Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, but only those who have repented and asked for Him to be their Savior will go to Heaven. You see, we need Jesus and the righteousness of God that comes by believing in the Christ.
Questions about faith seem to come almost every day, from somewhere. And when the question comes about your personal faith in Jesus Christ, will you have The Answer?
Almost each day that I live, I ask someone the question, “How are you going to get to Heaven form where you are?” Would you believe that more than 8 of 10 people that I query have no idea? Amazingly enough, a lady working at a Chic Filet completed John 14:6 as I was quoting this verse to her, but she did not know how to go to Heaven!
My conclusion is that we who are Evangelical Christians are not prepared to share the message of Christ with people whose path crosses ours. As Peter writes, we must always “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”
I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is going to Heaven? After all, the Jew is the Chosen of God.” I have always answered, “No,” because Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, but only those who have repented and asked for Him to be their Savior will go to Heaven. You see, we need Jesus and the righteousness of God that comes by believing in the Christ.
Questions about faith seem to come almost every day, from somewhere. And when the question comes about your personal faith in Jesus Christ, will you have The Answer?
Almost each day that I live, I ask someone the question, “How are you going to get to Heaven form where you are?” Would you believe that more than 8 of 10 people that I query have no idea? Amazingly enough, a lady working at a Chic Filet completed John 14:6 as I was quoting this verse to her, but she did not know how to go to Heaven!
My conclusion is that we who are Evangelical Christians are not prepared to share the message of Christ with people whose path crosses ours. As Peter writes, we must always “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Reality Check
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."" Matthew 12:33-37.
Returning from Peru for our first Stateside Assignment was somewhat startling, but the second trip home in 1990 was even more amazing. Many things had remained the same, but so much had changed. Especially vehicles.
Because I had been witnessing the model changes from year to year, identifying a Chevrolet or a Ford product was easy. In 1990 we had been out of the States for six years and the models had changed so drastically during that time that no longer was it possible for me to look at a vehicle and know what it was. Today, after being in the States for 10 years, I have yet to catch up. They all look alike to me. But one thing is certain, a Chevrolet is just what it is, a Chevrolet and not a Ford, “for the tree is known by its fruit.”
Someone may say many things about character and profession or whatever else, but what we are will eventually be known. Our words and actions will, in time, expose who and what we really are. “How can you speak good, when you are evil?”
For this reason alone, Christians are Christians and those who are not simply are not. People keep company with those that they are most like, no matter who they may claim to be. There is an old saying that I use from time to time that tells the story of who we are, “The birds of a feather flock together.”
I have been a fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders as long as I can recall. Living in Arkansas and being on staff with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention has not helped me when I preach in Arkansas churches week in and week out. I still cannot ‘Call the Hawgs’. One would have to be from Arkansas to do that.
However, I am not a Texas Tech Red Raider football, baseball or basketball team member only because I say that I am a Red Raider. A fan, yes, for many years. But am I a Red Raider? No. I have not paid my dues in order to be able to say that. I have a cousin who played for the Raiders way back in the 50’s. Jim Henderson is a Red Raider because he ‘paid his dues.’
We are who we are, and nothing can change that. Jesus Christ makes the difference in everything I both say and do. Being a Christian is not an attempt to be something I am not. Being a Christian is because of who He is living in my heart and life. He reveals himself through me, in spite of me. But His presence in my life enables me to be a Christian. I do good because of Him. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks... for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Returning from Peru for our first Stateside Assignment was somewhat startling, but the second trip home in 1990 was even more amazing. Many things had remained the same, but so much had changed. Especially vehicles.
Because I had been witnessing the model changes from year to year, identifying a Chevrolet or a Ford product was easy. In 1990 we had been out of the States for six years and the models had changed so drastically during that time that no longer was it possible for me to look at a vehicle and know what it was. Today, after being in the States for 10 years, I have yet to catch up. They all look alike to me. But one thing is certain, a Chevrolet is just what it is, a Chevrolet and not a Ford, “for the tree is known by its fruit.”
Someone may say many things about character and profession or whatever else, but what we are will eventually be known. Our words and actions will, in time, expose who and what we really are. “How can you speak good, when you are evil?”
For this reason alone, Christians are Christians and those who are not simply are not. People keep company with those that they are most like, no matter who they may claim to be. There is an old saying that I use from time to time that tells the story of who we are, “The birds of a feather flock together.”
I have been a fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders as long as I can recall. Living in Arkansas and being on staff with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention has not helped me when I preach in Arkansas churches week in and week out. I still cannot ‘Call the Hawgs’. One would have to be from Arkansas to do that.
However, I am not a Texas Tech Red Raider football, baseball or basketball team member only because I say that I am a Red Raider. A fan, yes, for many years. But am I a Red Raider? No. I have not paid my dues in order to be able to say that. I have a cousin who played for the Raiders way back in the 50’s. Jim Henderson is a Red Raider because he ‘paid his dues.’
We are who we are, and nothing can change that. Jesus Christ makes the difference in everything I both say and do. Being a Christian is not an attempt to be something I am not. Being a Christian is because of who He is living in my heart and life. He reveals himself through me, in spite of me. But His presence in my life enables me to be a Christian. I do good because of Him. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks... for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Monday, September 8, 2008
Blessings In His Time
” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.." Galatians 6:9.
In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.
Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.
My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.
Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20
For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.
In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.
Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.
My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.
Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20
For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.
Blessings In His Time
” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.." Galatians 6:9.
In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.
Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.
My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.
Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20
For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.
In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.
Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.
My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.
Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20
For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Universal Quests
"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Observing people is something that I do a great deal of. Whether I am at the ‘Wally World’ or at the local gas station paying an unbelievable amount of money for a gallon of gasoline, I find myself looking at people. Rebekah is consistently reminding me not to ‘stare’.
What I find is quite interesting. As people are purchasing, whatever, the conversation always relates to the high prices. This has always been the case. I vividly recall the early 1970’s as the price of gasoline ‘took off’ from 25 cents per gallon to 31 0r 32 cents. “What are we going to do?” was the question and the same question is asked today as we are paying in the neighborhood of $3.50+ per gallon. Nothing has really changed except for the price of gasoline.
People everywhere have the same fears and desires….everywhere. The fears and desires may be energized by different forces, but those feelings of insecurity remain. There is no peace nor security except in the Christ.
The same quest is present everywhere, how to find peace or security in a volatile environment. Terrorism was an everyday event in Peru during the 80’s and early 90’s and everyone was very much aware of the presence of the ‘Shining Path’. No one was immune from the fear of their presence, whether in mountain villages or the metropolitan capitol city of Lima. The people who understood peace were the Christians. The same holds true today in a post 9/11 environment.
With the General Election of 2008 fast approaching, the question on everyone’s mind is ‘Who is the best candidate to hold the office of the President of the United States?’ With both candidates ‘at war’ with words and expressions of platforms, the electorate will soon cast their ballots and hope to find peace….but whether it be Obama or McCain, neither of them holds that key, either.
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. vv 2-3.
We live in a day while those who are making proclamation of the Word of God are ignored. However, many preachers that I recall for my 60 years of life have been saying the very same thing. The point of reference comes directly from Scripture. “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." Hebrews 12:25-26.
The desire to know peace is universal, and many routes to discover peace have been devised. Thousands of religions are existent that make attempts for inner peace, but none exists in the mind of man or woman. Only God is the Author of Peace that is found in His Son, Jesus Christ, and His desire is everyone to find salvation. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” v9.
Observing people is something that I do a great deal of. Whether I am at the ‘Wally World’ or at the local gas station paying an unbelievable amount of money for a gallon of gasoline, I find myself looking at people. Rebekah is consistently reminding me not to ‘stare’.
What I find is quite interesting. As people are purchasing, whatever, the conversation always relates to the high prices. This has always been the case. I vividly recall the early 1970’s as the price of gasoline ‘took off’ from 25 cents per gallon to 31 0r 32 cents. “What are we going to do?” was the question and the same question is asked today as we are paying in the neighborhood of $3.50+ per gallon. Nothing has really changed except for the price of gasoline.
People everywhere have the same fears and desires….everywhere. The fears and desires may be energized by different forces, but those feelings of insecurity remain. There is no peace nor security except in the Christ.
The same quest is present everywhere, how to find peace or security in a volatile environment. Terrorism was an everyday event in Peru during the 80’s and early 90’s and everyone was very much aware of the presence of the ‘Shining Path’. No one was immune from the fear of their presence, whether in mountain villages or the metropolitan capitol city of Lima. The people who understood peace were the Christians. The same holds true today in a post 9/11 environment.
With the General Election of 2008 fast approaching, the question on everyone’s mind is ‘Who is the best candidate to hold the office of the President of the United States?’ With both candidates ‘at war’ with words and expressions of platforms, the electorate will soon cast their ballots and hope to find peace….but whether it be Obama or McCain, neither of them holds that key, either.
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. vv 2-3.
We live in a day while those who are making proclamation of the Word of God are ignored. However, many preachers that I recall for my 60 years of life have been saying the very same thing. The point of reference comes directly from Scripture. “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." Hebrews 12:25-26.
The desire to know peace is universal, and many routes to discover peace have been devised. Thousands of religions are existent that make attempts for inner peace, but none exists in the mind of man or woman. Only God is the Author of Peace that is found in His Son, Jesus Christ, and His desire is everyone to find salvation. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” v9.
Busy Week
This past week was filled with all sorts of opportunities.
One week ago we began moving Robert and family from our house to theirs in Nashville, Arkansas...just about 25 miles to the north of us. And then....
Hurricane Gustavo hit the Gulf Coast and Patti's family came to Hope. They stayed in a local motel and a couple of the families stayed over at the Migrant Center.
Patti traveled most of the week visiting different Co-ops. She now has a cold and this will probably hang on for about 10 days or so.
Today, we will attempt to complete the move for Robert, Robin and family...among other things that must be attended to.
One week ago we began moving Robert and family from our house to theirs in Nashville, Arkansas...just about 25 miles to the north of us. And then....
Hurricane Gustavo hit the Gulf Coast and Patti's family came to Hope. They stayed in a local motel and a couple of the families stayed over at the Migrant Center.
Patti traveled most of the week visiting different Co-ops. She now has a cold and this will probably hang on for about 10 days or so.
Today, we will attempt to complete the move for Robert, Robin and family...among other things that must be attended to.
Masterpiece
Looking at books that contain printed copies of oil paintings accomplished by the old Masters is something I do quite often. Doing so gives me some ideas on how to become a little bit better when I smear paint on canvas. Smearing is the best that I am able to do in light of a Leonardo Da Vinci painting.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
God's workmanship! Replace the word ‘we’ with your name, "______ is God's workmanship." You and I are a one-of-a-kind original masterpiece! Sometimes we may not feel like a masterpiece. Perhaps you may not have been treated like a masterpiece, but the One who created you says you are His workmanship. From the moment of conception, God has been placing into you the qualities, experiences and the capabilities to make a unique difference in our world.
Remember that you and I are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." You are an original! You are priceless. For this reason alone, He died for you because no one else could pay that price. Your are beyond value.
Perhaps you have been rejected, ignored, hurt, or abused. It might be that you are criticized by folks who do not know who you are. But all of these negative messages are saying that you are not worth much and that you not good enough. However, people do not determine your worth. It is God who determines your value because you are His workmanship.
There are three words in this verse that define our personal worth, "in Christ Jesus." He paid for your sin with His life. God's Son died for you. That' is how much He believes you are worth!
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
God's workmanship! Replace the word ‘we’ with your name, "______ is God's workmanship." You and I are a one-of-a-kind original masterpiece! Sometimes we may not feel like a masterpiece. Perhaps you may not have been treated like a masterpiece, but the One who created you says you are His workmanship. From the moment of conception, God has been placing into you the qualities, experiences and the capabilities to make a unique difference in our world.
Remember that you and I are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." You are an original! You are priceless. For this reason alone, He died for you because no one else could pay that price. Your are beyond value.
Perhaps you have been rejected, ignored, hurt, or abused. It might be that you are criticized by folks who do not know who you are. But all of these negative messages are saying that you are not worth much and that you not good enough. However, people do not determine your worth. It is God who determines your value because you are His workmanship.
There are three words in this verse that define our personal worth, "in Christ Jesus." He paid for your sin with His life. God's Son died for you. That' is how much He believes you are worth!
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