There are three qualities to "preciousness." They are Rarity, intrinsic value, and usefulness. Christ is all that.
He is rare. Consider what the Bible says in John 3:16a “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” That term only begotten is significant because it relates to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is just no one like Him. He is the eternally begotten Son of God. Theologians say: God of very God, and begotten but not created. These are phrases that attempt to describe the Lord’s eternality and Sonship. The error of Arianism is the reduction of Christ into a created being. The Bible teaches us that the Son of God pre-existed in eternity past in perfect fellowship with the Father (Gen. 1:27; Isa. 48:16; John 1:1, 14; John 17:5).
The second quality is that of intrinsic value. Christ fulfills this. During the course of a discussion with unbelievers, Christ reveals His Deity in John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Immediately the Jews began to pick up stones to cast it at Him. This statement places Christ on equal terms with one of God’s sacred names: “I AM” (see Exo. 3:14). In John 5:18 it was the Beloved Apostle that commented regarding the Deity of Christ, when he said: “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” Indeed Christ is God, therefore He possess value in and of His own self. God is self-existing. He has no need of anyone, or anything. In fact one can easily agree with A.W. Tozer in his book “The Knowledge of the Holy” that “need” is not included in the vocabulary of God.
Last is that quality of usefulness. Christ is useful in every situation. The Bible says: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus saves. Jesus sanctifies. Whether the need is for Salvation or sanctification, Christ secures both. John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” True freedom is found only in Christ. A person can strive all he wants to secure a good living, and have a wonderful life, but until you are right with God through Christ that attempt is futile.
Christ is precious and we who are believers readily acknowledge this. Amen.
The second quality is that of intrinsic value. Christ fulfills this. During the course of a discussion with unbelievers, Christ reveals His Deity in John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Immediately the Jews began to pick up stones to cast it at Him. This statement places Christ on equal terms with one of God’s sacred names: “I AM” (see Exo. 3:14). In John 5:18 it was the Beloved Apostle that commented regarding the Deity of Christ, when he said: “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” Indeed Christ is God, therefore He possess value in and of His own self. God is self-existing. He has no need of anyone, or anything. In fact one can easily agree with A.W. Tozer in his book “The Knowledge of the Holy” that “need” is not included in the vocabulary of God.
Last is that quality of usefulness. Christ is useful in every situation. The Bible says: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus saves. Jesus sanctifies. Whether the need is for Salvation or sanctification, Christ secures both. John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” True freedom is found only in Christ. A person can strive all he wants to secure a good living, and have a wonderful life, but until you are right with God through Christ that attempt is futile.
Christ is precious and we who are believers readily acknowledge this. Amen.
2 comments:
Great devotional, Bro Bill. Truly Jesus is precious!
Song of Solomon 5:10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.
None other can compare with Jesus!
Thanks Jerry, and Amen! Great verse to go with the thought.
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