I’VE BEEN MADE VALUABLE!

I’VE BEEN MADE VALUABLE!

Luke 12:6-7

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

          It was explained to me by a certified counselor why some people act the way they do. First, we were created in the image of God and then God breathed his life into us. We were as He designed us to be. We were spiritually connected and were able to walk with Him in the Garden in the cool of the evening without any feeling of embarrassment or dread.

          But man fell through direct disobedience. When God warned that man would “surely die” He was speaking of our spirit! Our spirit became dead to God. Paul said that prior to salvation we were “dead in trespasses and in sins.” Our minds were not in sync with God. We could no longer walk with him and we were no longer fit for the Garden life. We were cast out.

Eph 2:1-3

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

          As spiritually dead, we needed to be “born again” as Jesus tried to explain in John chapter 3. This new birth restored us to our original state spiritually and then added value because we have been given His own Spirit. We were bought with a price and that made us valuable to God.

1 Cor 6:20

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

          The sinner is playing a dangerous game. He is trying to see if he can sin without getting caught and paying the consequences. He knows the deck is stacked against him but the thrill and challenge of the game drives him on. In spite of this the sinner feels deeply guilty and actually wants to be caught. He thinks the trouble and punishment will purge him from guilt. He enters a cycle of sinning – getting caught – repenting – and then sinning again. Sometimes “repenting” becomes a cloak or covering behind which he can hide while he returns to his sinful practices. This is part of the game.

          When we surrender to God and stop playing the game, He adds His righteousness to our bankrupt account. Value has been added! We become whole again and our spirit is once again in communion with His own because He has given us of that Spirit.

James 2:23

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

          The Greek word for “imputed” is logizomai which means “to take an inventory.” So God takes inventory of us and then gives us what we lack. To break the cycle of sin and shame, a believer must acknowledge that he is valuable before God because God has added value to us by Grace. We can stop playing hide and seek with God and allow Him to cover us with His grace and forgiveness.

Dear Lord, today I acknowledge that I am valuable because You have made me so. I want to stop playing games and walk with you without guilt or shame. Thank you for restoring to me what I had lost through sin. AMEN