Monday, July 14, 2008

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What are You Worth?

We have had occasion over the years to apply for a few loans for different things.  Maybe you have had this experience as well.  Part of this exercise involves "proving" to the lender that you have some worth.  I don't like that part (mostly because I don't often feel that I have a whole lot to offer them).  And then, we anxiously wait to hear whether or not we qualify.

Sad to admit, I find myself doing a similar thing with God.  Yes, I know that we are to,

"think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are" (1 Corinthians 1:26-28).

But, what I begin in the spirit, I do find myself at times trying to complete in the flesh (Galatians 3:3).  And, rather than glorying in what I do not have so that he can become much in my life (2 Corinthians 12:9), I actually try through whatever it is that I am able to do, to prove my worth to God.  I want to offer my success to him (see July 8th's Challenge).  How silly!  More than that, how full of pride, how sinful!

God showed me the other day how much he loves me and how he treasures me and what value he places on me without my "doing" anything.  And, He feels the same way about you.

Stephen, in his first and last sermon, said that, "the Most High does not live in houses made by men" (Acts 7:48) and Paul asks, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19).  This part was familiar.  I had heard it a million times.  Did I also know that "You are not your own; you were bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)?  Yes, I knew that too.  However, what was the price?  Did I really know how much He paid to build me into a temple?

The Temple in Jesus' day was marvelous.  And, even in its broken down state, it is wonderful to visit, even today.  It was actually the third temple and was built by King Herod.  The second was built in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.  And the first was built by Solomon at an estimated cost in present day dollars of $174,000,000,000.00.  Yes, you read correctly, 174 billion dollars!  Apparently, Herod's Temple was even larger and more elaborate!  No wonder the disciples were impressed (Matthew 24:1).

Now, look at Jesus.  Matthew 12:6 says, "I tell you that One greater than the temple is here."  That One was the price paid for me and for you.  Something in excess of 174 billion dollars is what he paid for me!  He paid the same amount for you too!  Solomon must have been extremely wealthy to afford his temple, but "now One greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42).

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor — he spent it all, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

It is not about what you or I can do or what we can afford or what we are worth on our own.  And, it's not about paying him back either!  It is about who I know.  He paid for me.  I am His Temple.  And we are marvelous!  We have value beyond our wildest imaginings!  And, even beyond all of that, we are loved!

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