Very Precious in the Sight of God
There is something about “The Antiques Road Show” that draws people. Old and unique things are evaluated by experts and while many are worthless, some are priceless. It is fascinating to hear the history and reasons that make something valuable. Generally, value is based on the buyer. If he thinks it’s valuable then it is! If no one seeks it, then it is not. Equally fascinating is to see the delight and amazement as they realize that their possession is highly prized and greatly valued.
What about people? While each of us is unique, most are not considered priceless by our fellow man. In order to have value in today’s society, one must be wealthy, powerful, beautiful, talented, charming, or mighty (athletic prowess). But just as “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” so also are all these things. For this reason, their value is fragile and temporary. Riches “fly away,” “charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,” and “childhood and youth are vanity” (Pr. 23:5; 31:30; Ecc. 11:10). Regardless of how valuable these things appear, ultimately they lose their luster.
Consider the “dream world” of High School. While in our teens, certain things were valued and others set at naught. Many times the “jock,” the “cool,” and the important “others” found their abilities had little value after they left school. It was the “nerd” who, leaving the stigma of High School, became the highly valued and sought after inventor or engineer.
Scripture reveals that our life on earth is a lot like High School in one respect. It is a finite time where many of the things highly valued will have no use in eternity. Things that are scorned now will become priceless as we stand waiting for God to pass judgment.
There has always been a large chasm between what this world values and what God sees as priceless. “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Jn. 12:43). Yet many have “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Lk. 16:15).
The choices a young lady makes in High School may make her unpopular, but later bring success. So the godly women may be scorned for her choice to be submissive, but will be praised by God in heaven.
While glitz and glamor make Hollywood stars, their immodesty and arrogance make them an abomination to God. A true lady does “not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1Pet. 3:3-4). Without this incorruptible beauty, one is just “a lovely woman who lacks discretion” and to God appears as “a ring of gold in a swine’s snout” (Pr. 11:22).
Jesus came to set things right and put them back on track. The life and teachings of Jesus show what God sees as priceless. In his Sermon on the Mount he speaks of the intrinsic value of the eight beatitudes. Those who are poor in spirit and mourn, who are meek and hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful and pure in heart, who are peacemakers and persecuted for their devotion to God are blessed - blessed because they make one precious to God.
Those who are belittled for trusting the Lord are simply “strangers and pilgrims” who “seek a homeland.” For that reason, “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” (Heb. 11:14-16). From eternity and into eternity, God has valued truth, righteousness and holiness. He has revealed these things through the gospel and our faith and trust in them make us priceless to him.
What about people? While each of us is unique, most are not considered priceless by our fellow man. In order to have value in today’s society, one must be wealthy, powerful, beautiful, talented, charming, or mighty (athletic prowess). But just as “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” so also are all these things. For this reason, their value is fragile and temporary. Riches “fly away,” “charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,” and “childhood and youth are vanity” (Pr. 23:5; 31:30; Ecc. 11:10). Regardless of how valuable these things appear, ultimately they lose their luster.
Consider the “dream world” of High School. While in our teens, certain things were valued and others set at naught. Many times the “jock,” the “cool,” and the important “others” found their abilities had little value after they left school. It was the “nerd” who, leaving the stigma of High School, became the highly valued and sought after inventor or engineer.
Scripture reveals that our life on earth is a lot like High School in one respect. It is a finite time where many of the things highly valued will have no use in eternity. Things that are scorned now will become priceless as we stand waiting for God to pass judgment.
There has always been a large chasm between what this world values and what God sees as priceless. “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Jn. 12:43). Yet many have “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Lk. 16:15).
The choices a young lady makes in High School may make her unpopular, but later bring success. So the godly women may be scorned for her choice to be submissive, but will be praised by God in heaven.
While glitz and glamor make Hollywood stars, their immodesty and arrogance make them an abomination to God. A true lady does “not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1Pet. 3:3-4). Without this incorruptible beauty, one is just “a lovely woman who lacks discretion” and to God appears as “a ring of gold in a swine’s snout” (Pr. 11:22).
Jesus came to set things right and put them back on track. The life and teachings of Jesus show what God sees as priceless. In his Sermon on the Mount he speaks of the intrinsic value of the eight beatitudes. Those who are poor in spirit and mourn, who are meek and hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful and pure in heart, who are peacemakers and persecuted for their devotion to God are blessed - blessed because they make one precious to God.
Those who are belittled for trusting the Lord are simply “strangers and pilgrims” who “seek a homeland.” For that reason, “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” (Heb. 11:14-16). From eternity and into eternity, God has valued truth, righteousness and holiness. He has revealed these things through the gospel and our faith and trust in them make us priceless to him.