You are valuable. You may not always feel like it, but you are. This value does not depend on your contribution to society or what you do, but simply because you are made in the image of God. This is clear in Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This is the basis of the Imago Dei, the concept that all humans are made by God and in His image and therefore, inherently valuable. This is truth, no matter your past, the mistakes you have made, or what others think of you. God determines your worth and if you ever doubt it or forget it, look to the cross of Christ.
Ephesians 1:7-10 reminds us of the value of Jesus’ blood and how it was poured out for you because of God’s love and desire to redeem you:
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
In my last blog and in Ephesians 1:4-6 you saw God’s word shows us that there is theological truth in the statement: “If you are a follower of Jesus, you were chosen, and hand selected by God Himself.” God chose you and loves you so much he poured out his infinitely valuable blood for you. God values you that much! So much that as you see in the second half of verse 7, he saves us from a problem we have created. We are saved from our own trespasses, our own sin. Jesus steps into a problem that was not even his and solves it for us by his own priceless blood.
Jesus, God made flesh, pays our penalty, and redeems us with his blood. This payment was not cheap, and he did not have to pay it. This reality gives us reason to stop and thank him and worship him. This truth also reminds us of our value before the God of the universe. This fact should change how we view our lives and how we live. But there is even more to this truth and the power of Christ’s blood.
Christ’s blood is so powerful and so valuable that is does not just make a way to be saved, it overwhelmingly saves. Verse 8 shows that he did not just do enough to save us, but rather went above and beyond and lavishes the riches of his grace on those who believe. His blood saves overwhelmingly. This is something that many miss. The Catholic church for example teaches that baptism gets rid of original sin through Christ’s blood, but in addition, to receive full salvation one must go to confession, take communion, go to church, and be a good person. A Jesus plus good works view of salvation. Many Christians live like this idea of Jesus’ blood plus good works is the way to salvation whether they acknowledge it or not. Constantly trying to be good enough and earn God’s love as if Christ’s blood has not already decided our value and salvation.
Brothers and sisters, according to these verses in Ephesians, Christ’s blood is enough for every single sin you ever have and ever will commit. You don’t have to earn his love because if you believe in Jesus and follow him as lord, you are literally overflowing with his love and grace. His blood saves you, and not just kind of saves you, but completely and overwhelmingly.
Christ’s blood does not just save and unite humanity to God, it also restores heaven and earth, all of God’s creation to its original design and unification to God according to Ephesians 1:9-10,”making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Christ’s blood is not just enough to save you, but also the universe. When God created the world, the heavens and everything in them he called it good, but the world is not perfect. This is evident in death and disaster all around. The world is a tough place because of our sin. Throughout history humanity has been trying to fix what sin broke. Fixing this broken world is a mystery that mankind could not and cannot figure out on their own, but these verses show us that Jesus is the answer. His blood poured out will restore and unite creation and the creator. Christ’s blood will not just restore you and me to God, which it will, but also all of creation back to God’s original design. Romans 8:19-22 says,
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”
If Christ’s blood has the power to forgive every sin, and completely restore the universe to God’s original design, then there is nothing you can do that he cannot forgive. His power and value of his blood reminds everyone, everywhere of how much God overwhelmingly loves and values us. You matter. You are valuable. You have purpose. If you ever forget it, look to the cross and let Christ’s blood impact and transform your life. There is mighty working power in the blood of Jesus.