Pastor John D Jakes

Living His Worth

You know the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” We know that there is value in something we have to pay for. How do you show something is valuable to you when you got it for free?

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Paul says, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV))

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Paul is clear about what saves a person. In both the book of Romans and the book of Galatians he states emphatically that salvation is a free gift that we CANNOT earn. So, what is he saying here? He is saying the gift Jesus gives has excited Paul’s love. It has excited his love beyond a smile or even a thank you. It has excited Paul’s love to the point that he intentionally gives up the blessings of his natural life to know Jesus better. He wants to understand Christ’s humility so he gives up his position in his society. He wants to know the heart of Jesus that would make Him suffer and die for us so he gives up a right to be comfortable. In pursuit of that heart Paul embraces without bitterness the suffering that comes with persecution. Yes, Paul wants to know Jesus in the power of His resurrection. So, Paul is going to even trust Jesus with his death.

That is the secret of valuing something. It isn’t found in how much you pay for it. The secret of valuing something is what you are willing to pay to experience it in its fullness. Let me use a human example… in healthy families the members don’t have to earn each other’s love. Yet, Moms and Dads will spend money, sacrifice time, give up sleep, and miss personal opportunities so that they can spend time with their children and see them thrive. They aren’t doing these things because they want to earn their children’s love. Parents are willing to be spent for their children because they love them. Their love is excited for their children to the point that they will give of themselves freely for them. When others see that, they know that those parents love their children.

Is this us with Jesus? Is that the type of discipleship that you are living? Our life’s sacrifices should show what Jesus is worth to us. I want that to be my heart. I want to show the worth of Jesus not in mere dollars. I want his worth to so excite my heart that nothing is too great a sacrifice.

Something to think about,

Pastor John