It seems like worldly self-esteem bases our worth on appearance, possessions and accomplishments. Whether high or low, this kind of esteem is prideful, it focuses on self, and doesn’t add value to our lives. It minimizes our potential for growth and influence.
However self-image is based on the value God has placed on us and goes far beyond what we can dream or imagine.
We can increase our value by living a Christ-centered follower.
If we look at the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians it gives us reasons we are valuable to God.
- We are valuable because of who we are
“God said, let’s made man in our image, after of likeness…” -Genesis 1:26
When we were created by God, we were the focus of His love.
“Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be Holy and without defect before Him in love” -Ephesians 1:4
2. We are valuable because of what we can become.
As a person who is loved by God and adopted into His family as believers, we can be sure that God has a plan for each of our lives.
“In whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who does all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Messiah” – Ephesians 1:11-12
3. We are valuable because of what we cost.
Ad one loved by God, we have also been chosen by God for
“Adoption as sons (and daughters) by Jesus Christ Himself” – Ephesians 1:5
This adoption came at a high price, with the death of God’s Son,
“He made us accepted in the beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” –Ephesians 1:6-7
The value God has placed on us is the value we should place on ourselves. We can live as someone valued by God when we know these truths:
- Jesus wants to have a relationship with us. When Paul prayed,
“Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith” -Ephesians 3:17
He wasn’t referring to something temporary. Jesus wants to live and relate with us permanently.
- We can experience Jesus’s love.
As if we were being pursued relationally by the Son of God isn’t enough, even more amazing is the fact that He wants each of us to strengthen us,
“may (be) strengthened to comprehend with all the Holy ones what is the width and length and height and depth, and know Messiah love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God” -Ephesians 3:18
Jesus wants us to be filled with the fullness of God and came that we might live more abundantly.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” -John 10:10
- God’s power is not limited.
“Now in Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” -Ephesians 3:20
- God can do a great work within us.
This divine love and power that exceeds our imaginations works in us because His Spirit strengthens us and the Holy Spirit lives in us once we are saved.
With these truths we cannot help seeing ourselves as valuable. But it doesn’t stop there. To live as someone valued by God we must do something with that knowledge.
Here are some things to do with the knowledge we have:
- Discover our spiritual paths and start moving. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul pleaded with believers to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called. Be intentional about living a life that matches who we are by virtue of our relationship with Jesus.
- Be humble and disciplined. Cultivating Jesus’s attitude of humanity by putting others before ourselves and following through with what we start. “With all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love” -Ephesians 4:2
- Experience community and serve one another. We feel more valuable when we work to add value to other’s lives and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
“Being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” -Ephesians 4:3
4. Use your unique gifts. Followers of Jesus are “one body” who belong to “one Lord” and one God and Father (Ephesians 4:4-6), but that doesn’t mean we are supposed to look, speak, and act alike. God has made us all unique and He has given us unique gifts to influence others and add value to our lives.
5. Keep growing. Ephesians 4:15 says that satisfaction with the status quo always leads to stagnation. Until the day we die, we have the potential to keep growing, leading, and making a difference in the world by adding value to others’ lives. It starts by believing and living as someone valued by God.
You matter. You are valuable. Start living like it.
From Pity to Praise 