An American tourist in Paris who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. His curiosity aroused, he decided to have it appraised to discover its true value. After looking at the object under a magnifying glass, the jeweler said, “I’ll give you $15,000 for it.” Greatly surprised, the man decided to have another expert examine it. The second jeweler, more prominent and qualified than the first, carefully examined the “trinket” and immediately offered the man $30,000.
“What do you see that is so valuable about this old necklace,” asked the astonished man.
“Look through this glass,” replied the jeweler. There before his eyes was an inscription: From Napoleon to Josephine. The value of the necklace came from its identification with a famous person.
How much like our value as Christians! Speaking to Jehovah Abraham declared that he was but “dust and ashes”(Gen. 18:27); called upon to deliver God’s people Moses inquired, “Who am I” (Ex. 3:11); in prayer to God Daniel cried out “hear the prayer of thy servant” (Dan. 9:17). To the world, Christians may be of little consequence. In fact, Christians are held in great contempt in the eyes of popular culture. Nevertheless, as children of God we are of great value to our heavenly Father! The psalmist wrote:
“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” (Ps. 8:3-6)
As much as humanity is the pinnacle of God’s creation, all of humanity are greatly loved by God. Jesus declared that God, “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt. 5:45). John instructed that the sacrificial love of God measured only by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was for “the world” (Jn. 3:16). However, those who are a part of that “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Pt. 2:9) are of special value to God.
Our value is not determined by our earthly lineage, notable secular achievements, or even a life characterized by moral integrity. While some may receive honor and recognition by their peers, to wear the name of Christ and to be a citizen in the kingdom of the Son of God is the highest status and the greatest honor to which one can attain.
You may never be glorified before the world for great achievements. Your name may never be listed among the ‘Who’s Who’in this world. But to hear your name called among the faithful by the Redeemer of humanity in the day that Christ comes in glory to appraise the whole of the human race –Oh what glory that will be! Of what great value we are because we wear the name Christian!
-Ronnie Scherffius
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