But God demonstrates His love (value) for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8 (NIV)
Our personal value systems are stacked according to personal preferences, experiences, nature and nurture. You might value being neat, so other ’neat’ people may be attributed more value from you… messy people may be attributed less value. This kind of ranking happens subconsciously. We know ‘birds of a feather flock together'… personal preference is an expression of your uniqueness. But it should never define someone else's value – that is independent of our preferences.
I’ve noticed some conflicting paradigms within communities of faith. The first – that we are loved so completely by God that He sent His Son, Jesus, to be murdered in the most horrific way, sacrificed, so that He could bridge the gap between our hearts and Him. A beautiful love story.
Then (the second paradigm), I hear these throwaway statements such as “You are nothing without Christ…” It almost sounds like we get taught “you’re a worthless wretch, and you need God to make you better…”
But while we were nothing and of no apparent value to God, Christ died for us. And He didn’t die FOR a bunch of nothings.
I know people who don’t believe in God and they are just like me – trying to build a life of meaning and value… and what they do matters. There is no-one valueless on this planet. Not you, not me… not the annoying neighbor or the awkward uncle.
God is fluid – He is in all things and through all things… He encompasses it all while giving us the freedom to choose the path of life we will. And whatever choice we make, He still values us, loves us and will continue permeating the world with hints and signs of His love and grace hoping to catch our eye.
People who don’t know Christ are not of any less value than those who do. They’re just sitting in a dark room unknowingly waiting for someone to turn the light on.
Judgment doesn’t flip the switch neither does finger pointing, condemnation or hierarchical value systems.
What flipped the switch for you? What illuminates your life with the light of Christ? Probably the very same things that drove an innocent man to die for a world full of people ignorant of Himself…
Faith. Hope. Love.
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