Value Yourself

“Personal development is the belief that you are worth the effort, time, and energy needed to develop yourself,” wrote author and motivational speaker Denis Waitley.”

While the Bible warns against the sin of pride (Jas. 4:6), and the problem of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Rom. 12:3), some Christians fail to grow because they think too little of themselves.

How much are you worth?

The value of anything is based on what someone will pay for it. How much is your car worth? Not as much as you paid for it. Unless it’s a collectable, it has depreciated in value. What about your house? You can enter your address on Zillow and get an estimate. But the reality is that it’s only worth what a buyer will offer you. The same principle is true for a painting, baseball card, or a precious heirloom.

Here’s how much you are worth.

As a Believer, the Bible says “you have been bought with a price” (1 Cor. 7:23). And that price Peter says was “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Furthermore, every other Believer who belongs to the Lord’s church has also been purchased by Jesus’ blood (Ax. 20:28).

In fact, God saw value in you while you were yet a sinner (Rom. 5:8). Thus, His grace, mercy, and love came together to redeem and ransom you from a life of sin and a destiny of destruction. He has created in you a new person after His likeness “in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:23). As a result we are commanded to glorify God in our body and in our spirit” (1 Cor. 6:20).

Thus, the apostle Paul who could say “I was the chief of sinners,” (1 Tim. 1:15) could now say, “I am what I am by the grace of God” (1 Cor. 15:10). This was true of the Ephesians who were once “dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-3). And is was true of the Corinthians who had been idolaters, adulterers and fornicators. But now they were washed, sanctified and justified by the Lord Jesus (1 Cor 6:9-11). And it’s true of me. And you.

As a result we enjoy the blessing of this wonderful assurance penned by Peter.

“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:4).

Why does God value us so much?

Because He made us in the image and after His likeness (Gen. 1:26). Because he made us just a little lower than the angels, but higher than the animal kingdom (Ps. 8). Because He gave us a soul that is so precious that it’s worth more than the entire world (Matt. 16:26).

This knowledge ought to inspire us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). To glorify Him in becoming that masterpiece that He created us to be (Eph. 2:10). To be different from the world, transformed instead of conformed (Rom. 12:1-2).

This process however, requires work on our part. It’s not automatic. But, if we feel inferior, demean our own God-given gifts, disparage our skills, and doubt our abilities, we will fail to grow.

Unfortunately, too many people are like the man who went to a fortune teller and inquired about his future. She looked into a crystal ball and said, “You will be poor and unhappy until you’re 45 years old.”

“Then what will happen,” the man hopefully asked.

“Then you will get used to it,” she replied.

As God’s chosen elect, let’s not get used to spiritual failure, mediocrity, or settling for less. Let’s eliminate excuses that rationalize our lack of growth. Eradicate alibis for lack of progress. And overcome inertia to move forward, and press on toward the prize.

Never forget. You are highly valued by your Creator. So much so that He sent His Son to die for you. Now, let’s grow to be more like Him.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman