Friday, August 28, 2009
Matthew 13:47-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to the shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
THE LORD VALUES YOU
There is great value in knowing who Jesus is. There is no other way to avoid the furnace of fire on the Last Day. However, we could not know who Jesus is if the Lord did not value us.
There is none among us who can claim to be good and deserving of the Lord's favor. Since by nature we are spiritually bankrupt, we are by definition "bad fish." There is nothing but death and destruction in the future for such as these. There is no logical reason for the Lord to value us. By nature we do not and cannot please a righteous God.
It is grace that led the Lord to value us. How else can we define His positive attention, but as a gift? He valued us to such a degree that He gave up what was most precious to Him--His Son Jesus. Jesus willingly laid down His life for those who despised Him.
The Lord values you so much that He clothed you in a robe of righteousness to make you presentable in His sight. He valued you to such a degree that He changed not only the history of the world, but also your personal history. He did so that not only will His children avoid a furnace of fire, but they will be with Him forever.
