Diamonds and Pearls

At our wednesday night bible study last night an interesting story came up. This woman in my church was telling us about a conversation she had with a girl at her work. It was about this diamond...a really BIG diamond. 500 karats in fact found in South Africa. Well the day went on, but God put this thought in her head. Simply put, what girl in their right mind if presented with a 500 karat diamond would say, "no thanks ill stick with what ive got." i know i would be very excited if presented with such a treasure. The point she goes on to make is this, so many are presented with the opportunity to know Christ but instead say, "no thanks im fine with this."

Instead of turning away from God and being satisfied with a mediocre life that may have some good times, were offered salvation-life with the Almighty Savior-and grace to walk by faith and live to the glory of God in this life until we were called home. In the book of matthew jesus is giving parables as to what the kingdom of heaven is like. In these parables the kingdom of heaven is the equivalent of the prescence of God. In matthew 13:45 Jesus says, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." Our God is worthy for us give ALL that we have for him, to him. He deserves our faithfullness and devotion and joy and worship and witness...not that he can't get it all some other way, but he allows us to know him and worship him.

It reminds me of another passage in Luke. Its the Triumphal Entry and the disciples are praising Christ for the things that he's done. the pharisees don't like this and they tell jesus to rebuke his disciples. i love christ's reply, " I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." We have the greatest thing, Jesus, our savior, worthy of our praise and our lives lived out to the glory of his name. So...lets live our lives to the glory of his name.