Great Value

Luke 12:4-7

Have you heard the term used; that person is afraid of his own shadow?  That could have been said of me for many years.  How does a person like that come across to others; often, they are the first to speak and the last to think?  They have low self-worth but they project a know-it-all attitude; that was where I found myself for many years.  This person is too busy trying to impress others who are also busy trying to influence others that they have no understanding that the ones they are trying to sway are not paying any attention.

I grew-up with a poor understanding of God the Father and I bet you may have also.  I had no understanding of His attributes, such as God is a personal Spirit and I can have intimate fellowship with Him.  God is all-powerful and He can help me with anything.  God is ever-present, and He is always with me; He knows everything, so I can go to Him with all my questions and concerns.  Because God is sovereign I will submit to His authority.  Because God is holy, I will devote my self to Him in service, purity, and worship.  Because God is absolute truth I will believe what He says and live accordingly.  Because God is righteous I will live by his standards, and because God is just He will treat me fairly, even though my feeler at times will not feel as if it is fair.  Because God is love He is unconditionally committed to my well-being.   Because God is merciful He will forgive my sins when I am truthful with Him about them.  Because God is faithful I can always trust Him to keep His promises.  And because God never changes, I have trusted Him with the present and the future, the eternal.  (Thoughts taken from T.W. Hunt)

To have a healthy, vital, growing relationship with God, we must have a realistic picture of who He is.  I believe that is the message in these words from Jesus: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  (Luke 12:4-7 ESV)

If you as a follower of Christ have come to an understanding of God’s character and attributes, it becomes very clear you have great worth to your Creator, so “Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”   

Now a word to the wise, in view of your past experiences, your current circumstances and your future hope and dreams, what is the wise thing to do with Jesus?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice