Vin Smith Concert Pianist. Piano Tuner. Talk Show Host. Novelist.

This is patently untrue--the teaching that mankind has no value; that any worth Adam and Even possessed (and all future souls that would be born) was lost in the Garden of Eden because of disobedience. Perfection was lost, yes... But not worth! Jesus proved that with the parable of the lost sheep. (Luke 15:1-7)

It was a fearful price that Jesus paid to redeem us! And that came with a great sacrifice...

Let's explore the Bible...

1). The very first premise the Bible states that indicates great value in God's creation of man is that we are made in God's image. That indicates God had high regard for mankind's worth. Would we say for even a moment, that such a loving gift--life to us, in a form that is in the image of our maker, can be anything like worthless? I would think not! (Genesis 1:26) (Genesis 9:6)

2). "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth." (Psalm 139:13-15) ESV
Remember the slogan, "God does not make junk!"

3). "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.) (Luke 12:6-7) ESV
This might be the understatement in all scripture. Jesus died for all mankind--but he also died for EACH INDIVIDUAL! One cannot calculate such value--not even with a quantum computer! 

4). Mankind is of incalculable worth to God because of the price paid for our redemption. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:20) KJV 

It can bring the believer deep sadness to hear of false teachings! How many souls become discouraged because of that? Such concerns should be the fodder of unrelenting prayer...

February 09 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Perry Claunch

In my opinion, God loves us because we were created by Him, to love and to be loved by us. If God loves us out of pity, then what happens to that love once we accept the sacrifice of Christ? Since the blood of Christ cleanses and deems us righteous, we would no longer be in need of "pity love". 

God loves us solely on the premise that he is love and no matter what we do, that love is eternal and never ending. So what about our worth? It is definitely hard to grasp that people could have any worth when compared to an almighty God, but I definitely see how much we mean to God through all he's done for us. 

He could've seen our sin and just left as alone and said, "Eh, I'll just start over. " But instead, he comes down into creation as a man, lives a perfect life, accepts the weight of the entirety of sin, dies the most painful death imaginable, rises again and saves the very people who crucified him. After that, it's pretty hard for me to say we aren't worth anything to Him. So I don't believe the concept of "pity love" gives God enough credit for the miraculous work he had done through us. We are His children and unique creation and He has a deep and undying love for us, because He is love. (1John 4:7-21)

February 09 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Thornton Bible student, unprofitable servant

This is an exceedingly important question. To find a correct answer we must begin with God. Our forefathers got it right when they wrote the Westminster Catechism 
Q. 1 What is the chief purpose for which man is made?
A. The chief purpose for which man is made is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
This frames for us in the clearest possible terms the relevant issues. The value of anything is given to it by its creator. In this sense value is synonymous with its purpose. Nothing gives itself existence or purpose, and therefore intrinsic value is the same as purpose. Something has value to the extent that it fulfills the purpose assigned to it.

Ez.15:2-4
“ Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any other wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest? 3 Is wood taken from it to make any object? Or can men make a peg from it to hang any vessel on? 4 Instead, it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, and its middle is burned. Is it useful for any work?

In the context of this text God is confronting His people with the fact that they are not living to glorify and enjoy Him as his people but rather they are living for themselves. Therefore they are like the wood of a vine that is not fulfilling its purpose, producing grapes, and useless for anything else and therefore they will be cast into the fire for fuel.
Jon. Edwards in his sermon on this test makes this profound observation, “If men bring forth no fruit to God, they are wholly useless, except in their destruction.
He is only echoing the same conclusion we find in Paul; 
Rom.3:10-12“There is none righteous, no, not one;...
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
This word translated unprofitable means; to be rendered useless or unserviceable.
A man who lives for himself or any other self appointed purpose is worse than worthless because he is steeling from God the glory that he was designed for.

What then will give his existence value?
Rom.2:7-8
7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self- seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, 

This text makes the clear distinction between those who fulfill the purpose of their existence and those who do not. The first seek glory, honor, and immortality in submission to the will of God.
The second are self-seeking and unwilling to submit to the design and purpose of their Creator.
What is the glory of a man? It is to reflect back to God His glory. This is called worship.
2 Cor.3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Cor. 4:6 
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

While I don't have the space here to unpack these passages suffice it to say man has no value of his own he supplies nothing. He manifest the glory of God in receiving not in giving. His actions reflect the present power of God at work in him. God as it were allows him to participate in His glory.

2 Pet.1:3 as 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.

The glory, honor, and immortality that Paul spoke of is what Peter refers to as partaking of the Devine nature. 
The crowning text to establish what I am proposing is; Romans 9:22-23 

Seeking value in yourself or for yourself apart from faith in Jesus Christ is self seeking and D

February 11 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Matthew S

You are precious in God’s sight. The book of Isaiah reminds us that we are precious and honored in God’s eyes. He loves us deeply and willingly exchanged nations for our lives. Imagine that! You matter so much to Him that He would make such a trade (Isaiah 43:4).

A Wife of Noble Character: Proverbs 31 describes a wife of noble character as being worth far more than rubies. Her value goes beyond material wealth; it encompasses integrity, wisdom, and kindness (Proverbs 31:10).

God’s Care for You: Jesus Himself emphasized our worth. He pointed out that even sparrows, sold for a penny, are not forgotten by God. And yet, we are worth more than many sparrows. Our heavenly Father knows every detail about us, down to the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:29-31).

Made in God’s Image: Genesis tells us that God created humanity in His image (Genesis 1:27). This unique status sets us apart from the rest of creation. Our value lies in reflecting God’s character and purpose.

Christ’s Sacrifice for You: Perhaps the most profound demonstration of our worth is Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He gave His life willingly to redeem us from sin and reconcile us to God. That act speaks volumes about our value in His eyes (John 3:16).

Remember, you are not just a random collection of atoms. You are intentionally crafted, deeply loved, and infinitely valuable to the Creator of the universe.

March 22 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report