Precious

Everyone possesses things he considers precious.  Perhaps they are jewels of great price, family photographs, or even memories that are especially dear.  But the Bible speaks of several precious things.  Let’s consider those things God considers very costly and of great value.

The word of the Lord is precious

“And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision” (I Sam. 3:1).  The word of Lord is called precious here because it was rare in those days.  Is the word of the Lord precious to you in a day and age where most scorn and mock its words?  If the word of the Lord is precious to you, you will desire it in order to grow (I Pet. 2:2-3), and you will desire to read and hear and keep its message (Rev. 1:3).

Christ is precious

“…Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious” (I Pet. 2:4).  True, Christ is not precious to all men (I Pet. 2:8), but He is precious to those who believe (I Pet. 2:7).  Consider His humble life (Matt. 8:20), His perfect example (I Pet. 2:21), His obedience (Heb. 5:8-9), and that He is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23).

Precious Blood of Christ

“…Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”  (I Pet. 1:18-19).  Life is in the blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22).  The blood of Christ is precious because in it He laid down His perfect life, the only sacrifice that could atone for man’s sin.  And the only way for the alien sinner to contact that blood, the death of Christ (Rom. 5:8-9), for the forgiveness of sin, is through being buried with Him through baptism (Rom. 6:1-4).  It is Christ’s precious blood that cleanses the Christian of his sin when he repents and confesses his sin to God (Acts 8;22).

Precious Faith

“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 2:1). Have you heard and obeyed that one faith? (Eph. 4:4)

Precious Promises

“…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.”  God has given many promises to the Christian, including all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3) and the promise of eternal life (Rev. 2:10).  But to the disobedient there is only the promise of punishment and wrath to come.  Are you a Christian and resting in the assurance of his promises?

Precious Deaths

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).  Saints are simply Christians (I Cor. 1:1-2).  The death of one who is not in Christ is a sad occasion.  But the death of the Christian is a precious thing in God’s eyes, and while those who remain may sorrow, their sorrow is accompanied by hope.

Are these things precious to you?  Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).
                            -Larry Jones