How To Give True Value to Your Life.
Zero is single digit that represents nothing (signifies absence of any quantity) and holds no value by itself, but it is a very important figure. Any measurable number preceding a zero (or a set of zeros) give it a value. For example, if someone gives you a check to cash an amount that contains only zeros, you will come out of the bank empty-handed as the check has no value. Likewise, your life is accumulated zeros, you cannot get anything out of your life until Jesus Christ puts value on it.
Many people try to achieve a life of value outside of Jesus Christ through a number of ways — charity, philanthropy, career, business success, wealth accumulation, power acquisition and so on — some even sell their soul to the devil in the bid to achieve a life of value. But in the end, they fail miserably. What path are you taking to live a life of value? You can gain the whole world and attain the highest position power and wealth in this world (Mark 8:36), it is of no profit to you until you submit them all at the feet of Christ to give them meaning.
Jesus said:
[What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Mark 8:36(NLT)].
The rich young man who came to Jesus (Matthew 19:16–20) was wealthy and followed the laws of Moses yet there was an emptiness in him which made him sought Jesus. He had accumulated a lot of zeros, but they have not given value to his life. Upon finding Jesus, he asked what he must do to earn eternal life i.e. what must he do to add true value to his life. Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions Matthew 19:21–22 (NLT)].
[Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”. “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question — if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Matthew 19:16–20 (NLT)].
The price of adding true value to his life was too high for him to pay. The same goes for many people, they are not ready to pay the price Jesus is asking from them for a life of true value. The emptiness you feel despite your achievements is an indication that your zeros (wealth, pride, ambitions outside of God’s will) are not the true values of life. The devil wants you think that these things are the real deals that give value to your life, these are not the true value revealed by the truth in Christ. Anything whose value is only useful in this world is a zero, the preacher called them vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:8).
[“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:2–3. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. Ecclesiastes 1:8 (NLT)].
What is Jesus asking from you that you do not want to let go? Remember Abraham let go of Isaac and he became a blessing to all nations. Jesus let go of His life before He became highly exalted above all other names (Philippians 2:5–11). Apostle Paul encourages us to have the same attitude. Give Jesus all and He will give you valuable things that are profitable on earth and endurable in eternity.
On the day when we will all give account of our lives before the judgement throne of God, there will be three groups of people. There will be those who are zeros no matter what they achieve on earth because there was no Jesus in their lives, their name will not be found in the book of life, all their worldly accumulations will be meaningless in eternity, and they will be cast away from the presence of God into everlasting suffering. The second group will be those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus but are not submitted to Him. This group of people will be saved but with little or no reward for their labour. The last group are those who surrendered and submitted to Jesus Lordship. They have both tangible numbers and many acceptable zeros; they will be saved with rewards commeasurable to their acceptable zeros.
Which category do you fall into? Is your life filled with meaningless zeros that has no value before God and will be burnt to ashes when tried by the fire of the truth or real values that can stand the test of fire? Jesus is the only one that can give you your life enduring values, remember that without Jesus, you can do nothing.
Why don’t you surrender your life to Jesus Christ today so He can give value to the zeros of your life. Are you struggling with submission to the Jesus after surrendering your life to Him? Why don’t you ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your Christian journey. God’s desire is that everyone be saved. My desire for you is that you will be found as faithful and obedient servant on the judgement day. Selah.
Shalom.
