So, I get a phone call from a reader who asks, “Is everything on your site serious?” Well, obviously, no. Even my chili recipe contained humor. But this post may be more serious than others.
This one is serious.
What would you die for? What is so valuable that you would risk or even sacrifice your own life? Have you ever stopped to think about that? You should.
The typical things in life that are considered so valuable, when put in perspective, aren’t really worth that much. Even the most “priceless” treasures are not worth your life – or are they? Would you fight a thief for your purse or car? Then you are saying those things are more valuable than your life, for you are willing to risk your life to keep them. It is how people die every day in the pursuit of, and the keeping of earthly possessions. Foolish, frankly.
Even more than concrete items, some value their pride more than life. They are willing to fight to the death, or kill others when insulted or “dissed.” Perception is NOT reality, just as integrity is not determined by opinion; yet, some would rather risk death than be thought of wrongly. So many have yet to learn that what people think of them does not determine the reality of who they are.
From the perspective of family, I would say that most believe life is worth risking life. If my loved ones were in danger, then it would be natural to put my life on the line. Really, there is no argument against this one. But on the other hand, society is very fickled when it
comes to how it determines the value of one life. One life is not as valuable as another, after all. Life is not as valuable to some if convenience or personal pleasure is at stake. I would die for my children, but many kill their own children before birth. It seems to me that values gold more consistently than life itself.
What about beliefs? Are you willing to die for what you believe? Now this, I know, could open up a whole can of worms; but that’s ok. Just stop and think about it for a moment. Do you believe in anything so much that it is worth more than your own life? When your life is on the line, knowing the difference between what you believe and what is only opinion is of key importance. A martyr is one who will die for what they believe, rather than deny it. Is your faith worth dying for? If not, then how much do you really believe?
But here’s one more thought…how much is YOUR life worth?
Value is determined by what someone is willing to give for it, right? That’s typically the way it goes. So, if nothing on earth is more valuable than your life, does that make your life valuable? Well, maybe to you. Think about it, to someone else your life might not be as valuable as their own. Would you value the life of a total stranger so much that you would offer your own in exchange? I mean, really? Someone may even be willing to give all of the world’s riches in order to obtain your life, but are you worth it? Who would even have that kind of wealth? That leaves you with nothing more than your sense of value compared to another’s. Your worth against theirs.
Value is relative to the thing for which the buyer will exchange. That’s a disturbing thought, isn’t it?
On the other hand, what if the Creator of the universe offered to die for you?
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Rom 5:8 NIV
That would make you of incalculable worth! The King of Heaven, the Son of God, gave His own life in exchange for yours, even accepting your guilts and failures as His own, and paying the death penalty for sin on your behalf.
For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. – 2Corinthians 5:21 KJV
That makes you valuable. That makes Jesus pretty unique. How many others have done what He has for you? Most of us would die for our children or spouse. Some of us would die for a friend or maybe a good person. But how many of us would give our own life to purchase the life of a stranger, much less a convict, drug dealer, murderer, etc? Jesus did.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Rom 5:6-8 NIV
That’s the whole reason for Christmas, you know. Jesus had to come to earth as a baby to grow into the Man that would willingly go to a cruel cross. The gift of Christmas is the gift of life, purchased with the life of the Giver of Life. How ironic is that; and how wonderful?
What is your life worth? Well, it was worth the Messiah suffering the most excruciating death Rome could conceive. It was worth the Prince of Peace being shredded by a “cat of nine tails.” It was worth God becoming flesh so that we could know Him. If you are worth that much, and if that kind of price was paid, don’t you think giving your life to Jesus is a fair exchange?
If you would like to know more about Jesus, and how he loves you and died for you, then call this number, 1-800-NEED-HIM. Or, if you would like to talk with me, just send me an email. Your life is worth it.
The Recovering Legalist 
like what you said one question where do i and all the pepole that serve in firefighting /ems/rescue/police both paid and non paid and the people in military fit in to this not to take away from what you said but wonder what you think
Wonderful observation and question, Ronald! I am so glad you asked!
I think that it is a testimony to those you mentioned that they would risk their own lives for the sake of others. Why do they do it? They do it because they understand that every individual life has value, not based on what they have done, or who they are, but just because “every many is created equal.” They do it because they have a love for their fellow man. You should know. Why do you do what you do?
Jesus said, when asked what was the greatest commandment, that we should love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind, but also to “Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mar 12:31 NIV Jesus also said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – Jhn 15:13 NIV
The point of my article is that we all have intrinsic value based on our Creator, not our own self-evaluation. Some may think of us as worthy of saving, while others don’t. But what they think really doesn’t matter in the big scheme of things. Jesus thought of us so much that He placed the ultimate value on us…His blood…for that was what it took to purchase us from the grips of eternal damnation.
This is an absolutely wonderful message! I appreciate u taking the time to share this. I concluded this read with a AMEN! We r all sinners and God giving His life for us all? Oh that’s def worthy of our lives AND endless praise! I just took a moment to thank God again today!