Understanding your worth in God’s eyes is foundational to a fulfilling life. In this message, we explore the immense value God places on each soul and the life-changing impact of Christ’s sacrifice.
Each individual’s life (regardless of race, rank, or religion) is of inestimable value in Gods eyes. The unfortunate thing, however, is that most people do not realise just how valuable they are. This ignorance that people have about their worth has a major impact on how they live their lives.
This is why the Bible goes to great lengths to show how valuable each individual life is to God and the profound significance that this has. Consider how the apostle Paul illustrates this in his letter to the church at Corinth:
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:19-20
Paul’s message reinforces the significance of understanding the value of a soul in God’s eyes by reminding believers they are bought at a price. He then argues that this is the reason why we should glorify God in our lives: both in body and in spirit – in the innermost parts of our lives.
There’s a powerful principle that can be drawn here: That is that when one realises their own value and worth, it directly influences how they live their life. When a person realises the price that was paid to save them, they will live their lives to glorify God.
The opposite is also true: when a person does not know the value of their soul in God’s eyes, they fall into living in a way that does not glorify God. This is unfortunately the case for many people.
Even as believers, the choices we make that do not glorify God are sometimes the result of not realising the price that was paid for us.
It is often the case that people tend to be extra careful when looking after the things they value the most. Paul is trying to convince believers of their worth, knowing that when we are convinced about the value that is placed on us, it will transform our lives to be lived for a higher aim.
Redeemed at the Highest Price: The Value of a Soul in God’s Eyes
Peter, the disciple, highlight the immense value of a Soul in God’s eyes. He writes:
“You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18 – 19
The price that was paid to redeem us from our aimless conduct was the incorruptible blood of Jesus Christ. This refers to Him giving up His life as a sacrifice for our sins. This is drawn from the Old Testament where a lamb had to die and shed blood as a sacrifice for sins.
“The life of every living thing is in the blood, and that is why the LORD has commanded that all blood be poured out on the altar to take away the people’s sins. Blood, which is life, takes away sins.” Leviticus 17:11 (GNT)
Jesus is “the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29), and in shedding His blood on the cross, He was paying the price for our sins.
Peter contrasts the blood of Jesus with other things, like gold and silver. The blood of Jesus with which we have been redeemed is precious and incorruptible, while all other things like silver, gold, and money are perishable; they lose their value.
This is of great significance: the currency that was paid for our redemption is the eternal blood of Jesus Christ, which will never lose its value. This shows us that we are eternally valuable to God.
Our value to God is without end and we are worth infinitely more than what money can buy.
Redeemed from Aimless Living: Finding Purpose in Christ
Peter highlights that when God redeems us through the blood of Jesus, He buys us back from our vain and aimless conduct. To understand this, consider that the Bible describes acts of sin as us “selling ourselves.”
In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah writes to the people of God saying:
“For your iniquities you have sold yourselves.” Isaiah 50:1b
When we transgressed the law of God by our iniquities, we put ourselves up “for sale,” as it were, to become slaves to sin rather than to serve God. This is what He seeks to buy us back from—our aimless lives of sin. The prophet Isaiah further describes this, saying:
“For thus says the Lord: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.” Isaiah 52:3
Through sin, we sell ourselves for nothing; we give away that which is of high value into a cheap market. Yet God loves and values us enough to still be willing to “buy us back.” He loves us too much to lose that which is precious to Him.
This is why He was willing to pay the highest price as a ransom to save us, and this is worth far more than money. That price was the life of Jesus Christ through His death on the cross.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
The love of God towards us drove Him to pay whatever price necessary to save and redeem us from a life of sin.
Paying the Utmost Price – Understanding the Value of Jesus’ Sacrifice
Let’s briefly reflect on what’s involved in the sacrifice of Jesus, to get a better understanding the high price that was paid to redeem us from sin.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes a profound statement:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
To save us from perishing as a consequence of our sinful ways, God was willing to give up His Son to die in our place. This was the highest price He could pay for our redemption—motivated by His deep love for us.
To fully grasp this sacrifice, consider what it means for Jesus to be our ransom. Paul tells us that in Jesus, “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14); His blood is the very price paid to redeem us.
But what makes the blood of Jesus able to redeem us?
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ****And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16 – 17
There are two qualities about Jesus that make His life infinitely more worthy to be a sacrifice for sin. First, He is the Creator of all things; second, He is the Sustainer of all things—“in Him all things consist.”
When Jesus took on human nature to become our sacrifice, He remained the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Even as He walked the earth, the universe still belonged to Him.
In offering Himself as a ransom, Jesus gave all of Himself and everything He owns—including the universe. This is the infinite price that was paid to redeem us, and this is the measure of our worth. The cost to save sinners, including you and me, is greater than the worth of the sun, moon, and stars.
My wish and prayer for you—and for myself as I write—is that we may come to understand and believe the value of a soul in God’s eyes. May this truth shape how we live and the choices we make. We have been paid for with the infinite blood of Jesus, “and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:9)
“You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit…” 1 Corinthians 6:20
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Three Great articles to check out:
1. The Power of Surrender: The article highlights the strength found in surrendering to God’s will, as demonstrated by Jesus and Paul.
2. Knowing Others, Knowing God: The article explores how true intimacy with others and God requires deeper, multifaceted relationships.
3. Behold” – Keeping your eyes on the road.: The article highlights the importance of focusing on Jesus to overcome spiritual fatigue and stay strong in faith.
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