You’re Worth More than You Know

Jan 19

Written By Robby Atwood

There was once an older man who owned a diamond ring that had been passed down through generations. It was older than he could even remember—being passed down from his great-grandfather, to his grandfather, and finally to him. After decades of wear, the ring had become dull and clouded, stained by the dirt and oils of many hands. To the untrained eye, it hardly looked like a treasure at all.

One day, the man decided to have it appraised. The head jeweler examined the ring and quietly took it into the back. After carefully cleaning and restoring it, he returned and placed it under the light. Suddenly, the diamond burst into brilliance, sparkling with a beauty the owner had never seen before.

The man stared in disbelief. He couldn’t believe it was the same ring. “I had no idea it was so beautiful,” he said, quickly following it up with “I imagine it’s worth something, right?”

The jeweler leaned over the counter and whispered softly, “more than you can even begin to imagine.”

Shocked, the owner of the ring took a deep breath, held it firmly in the palm of his hand, and said “I had no idea it was worth so much. Honestly, I was ready to take whatever I could get for it. But now that I’ve seen it like this, I think I’ll keep it in the family.”

The jeweler smiled and replied, “That’s the remarkable thing. It was always worth more than you could imagine. The value never changed; you just couldn’t see it beneath the blemishes.”

WE ARE LIKE THIS MAN

In the same way, many of us live unaware of our true worth. Over time, life, sin, shame, disappointment, wounds, and words spoken by others leaves its marks. These things cloud how we see ourselves. We begin to believe our value has diminished, that we are worth only the sum of our successes, or even what others are willing to give to us or for us.

But our identity was never determined by the blemishes. Like the diamond, the value was always there.

When we come to God, he does not discover something new about us—he reveals what has always been true. Though he cleans what sin has stained and restores what life has dulled, the worth he shows us is not something we earn or regain; it is something we finally see.

That is why Scripture says we are “God’s workmanship” and “a chosen people.” Our value does not increase when we are restored; our vision does. The hands of the Master change the way we see ourselves by removing what was never meant to define us.

And once we see our true identity, like the man with the ring, we realize we are not something to be traded cheaply or thrown away. We realize our worth, awakening to the truth that we’ve always belonged; we’ve always had unimaginable value.

THE SON CAME TO HIS SENSES

In Luke 15, we encounter a parable of Jesus, what many translations call “The Prodigal Son.” In it, we have a young man who, after wanting to get out of the house, asked for his inheritance early. He soon found himself overwhelmed with the consequences of his request.

Soon after he spent all of his inheritance, the young man “came to his senses” and decided to go back home. It’s important to note: it does not say that he decided to return “after saying a prayer” or “after going to the altar when he was told he was gonna burn in hell”; it says he “came to his senses.” He awakened to the truth, and witnessed the still small voice within—the voice that had been there the entire time he was away from his father’s house.

When he finally awakened, he rehearsed a prayer, saying “I’m no longer worthy…” Sorry for the oversimplification, but, seeing that he said “NO LONGER (worthy),” apparently the son thought he was worthy before he messed up. It’s as if, in his eyes, his value had diminished. Sadly, the immature lad thought his worth hinged on what he did or didn’t do.

WE ARE LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON

One of the greatest lies in the church is that we can somehow change our nature from bad to good or bad to good by good or bad behavior, or by adhering to a set of formulas. We somehow imagine we have the power to not only change who we are, but that we can change the Father’s mind about us. Beloved, allow me to say this clearly: if there’s one thing that’s obvious in the life and ministry of Jesus, it’s that…

Jesus did not come to change God’s mind about you; he came to change our minds about God.

In this “prodigal” parable, Jesus was not only unveiling the truth of who the Father is and has always been; he was also exposing the lies of what we believe about ourselves—that we have the power to change the Father’s mind about us. He was out to blow our minds with the truth of our eternal worth and value—seeking to convince us, once and for all, that we have always belonged, and we have always been loved.

Shortly after the son rehearses his prayer (“I sinned before you and heaven, I’m no longer worthy”), he runs home to try and get back in the father's good graces. I imagine he thinks a dose of religious piety will somehow convince his father to let him back in—even if it means he only remains a worker in his dad’s fields.

Upon arrival, the son gives his polished confession (“I’m no longer worthy to be called your son”). But I just love what the father does: he refuses to give time and energy to that nonsense (God doesn’t speak slave language).

Instead, the father does something incredibly transformational: he clothes him with the best (robe, ring, and sandals). I believe he did this to convince him of his worth. He wanted his son to know that the outer wear signified his inner worth. He wanted the son to know the truth of who he is on the inside, at the deepest part of his being.

He then calls for a massive celebration, to express the gratitude of the restoration of what was always true.

Like the son, you’re worthy before you do anything. You’re still worthy after you’ve done about everything. You are enough before you do anything. And you’re still enough after you’ve done about everything.

I assume this is why Paul says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

THE CROSS REVEALS YOUR WORTH

For some of us, we’ve grown up being told that our worth hinges on the cross; that we are worthy only because of the death of Jesus. We’re told things like “When the Father looks at you, he sees Jesus,” or “God couldn’t look on you until Jesus died on the cross” (just to name a couple).

Beloved, let me say it loud and proud: the cross doesn’t establish your worth; the cross reveals it. This is why God demonstrated his love, for his love was set on you, me, and the whole human race since the beginning of time (see Ephesians 1:4). His heart was captured by your gaze before he laid down his life on the cross (see Song of Solomon 4:9). He valued you, cherished you, and gave everything for you. Why? Because you were worth it!

Being made in the image of God means you’re worth more than you can begin to imagine. That’s right: you have always been in his image—and for this, you’ve never ceased being his beloved child.

Even when we forget and behave contrary to this truth (of our eternal worth and value), God does not un-choose us, nor does he turn his face from us. He actually seeks us all the more (like he did with Adam and Eve in Genesis), so that we can encounter the goodness of his heart and the truth of our worth.

The scriptures confirm the truth of our worth BEFORE the cross:

John 15:15: Jesus hadn’t been to the cross, and still calls them friends (“No longer do I call you slaves…but I have called you friends…”)
Luke 12:7: Before the cross, Jesus declares that we are “more valuable than a great number of sparrows.”
Matthew 13:44: The kingdom lies within the field (you and me), and God is continually searching the field in order to draw forth its treasure (also see Luke 17:21).
Psalm 139:13-14; 17-18: A thousand years before the cross, David writes, “You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb…How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made.”
Isaiah 43:4: The prophet Isaiah says, “you are precious in My sight…you are honored and I love you.”
Song of Solomon 4:9: The King, which is a type and shadow of Jesus, says to the bride, “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes...”

CONCLUSION

One of the greatest struggles we face is whether we believe that we have value. Many of us live as though our worth has been reduced by what we’ve done, what’s been done to us, or what others have said about us.

But God, by his Spirit, is awakening us to the truth of our value and worth. His image in us is the treasure he seeks to draw forth. Therefore, God is educating us (educate comes from the word “educe” which means to “draw forth”) and God is drawing forth the truth of our nature; he’s bringing forth the treasure that’s been there all along.

We, like the owner of the diamond ring, may have failed to realize our immense worth, but God is committed to us; he’s knocking off the dust of the journey so that we may NOW see and awaken to who we are!

You’re way too valuable to not know this good news!

—RA

Other references:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” 1 Peter 2:9

Robby Atwood

You’re Worth More than You Know

The man stared in disbelief. He couldn’t believe it was the same ring. “I had no idea it was so beautiful,” he said, quickly following it up with “I imagine it’s worth something, right?”

The jeweler leaned over the counter and whispered softly, “more than you can even begin to imagine.”

Shocked, the owner of the ring took a deep breath, held it firmly in the palm of his hand, and said “I had no idea it was worth so much. Honestly, I was ready to take whatever I could get for it. But now that I’ve seen it like this, I think I’ll keep it in the family.”

The jeweler smiled and replied, “That’s the remarkable thing. It was always worth more than you could imagine. The value never changed; you just couldn’t see it beneath the blemishes.”

WE ARE LIKE THIS MAN

But our identity was never determined by the blemishes. Like the diamond, the value was always there.

When we come to God, he does not discover something new about us—he reveals what has always been true. Though he cleans what sin has stained and restores what life has dulled, the worth he shows us is not something we earn or regain; it is something we finally see.

That is why Scripture says we are “God’s workmanship” and “a chosen people.” Our value does not increase when we are restored; our vision does. The hands of the Master change the way we see ourselves by removing what was never meant to define us.

And once we see our true identity, like the man with the ring, we realize we are not something to be traded cheaply or thrown away. We realize our worth, awakening to the truth that we’ve always belonged; we’ve always had unimaginable value.

THE SON CAME TO HIS SENSES

In Luke 15, we encounter a parable of Jesus, what many translations call “The Prodigal Son.” In it, we have a young man who, after wanting to get out of the house, asked for his inheritance early. He soon found himself overwhelmed with the consequences of his request.

WE ARE LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON

Jesus did not come to change God’s mind about you; he came to change our minds about God.

Upon arrival, the son gives his polished confession (“I’m no longer worthy to be called your son”). But I just love what the father does: he refuses to give time and energy to that nonsense (God doesn’t speak slave language).

He then calls for a massive celebration, to express the gratitude of the restoration of what was always true.

Like the son, you’re worthy before you do anything. You’re still worthy after you’ve done about everything. You are enough before you do anything. And you’re still enough after you’ve done about everything.

I assume this is why Paul says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

THE CROSS REVEALS YOUR WORTH

Being made in the image of God means you’re worth more than you can begin to imagine. That’s right: you have always been in his image—and for this, you’ve never ceased being his beloved child.

The scriptures confirm the truth of our worth BEFORE the cross:

John 15:15: Jesus hadn’t been to the cross, and still calls them friends (“No longer do I call you slaves…but I have called you friends…”)

Luke 12:7: Before the cross, Jesus declares that we are “more valuable than a great number of sparrows.”

Matthew 13:44: The kingdom lies within the field (you and me), and God is continually searching the field in order to draw forth its treasure (also see Luke 17:21).

Isaiah 43:4: The prophet Isaiah says, “you are precious in My sight…you are honored and I love you.”

Song of Solomon 4:9: The King, which is a type and shadow of Jesus, says to the bride, “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes...”

CONCLUSION

One of the greatest struggles we face is whether we believe that we have value. Many of us live as though our worth has been reduced by what we’ve done, what’s been done to us, or what others have said about us.

We, like the owner of the diamond ring, may have failed to realize our immense worth, but God is committed to us; he’s knocking off the dust of the journey so that we may NOW see and awaken to who we are!

You’re way too valuable to not know this good news!

—RA

Other references:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” 1 Peter 2:9

You’re Worth More than You Know

The man stared in disbelief. He couldn’t believe it was the same ring. “I had no idea it was so beautiful,” he said, quickly following it up with “I imagine it’s worth something, right?”

The jeweler leaned over the counter and whispered softly, “more than you can even begin to imagine.”

Shocked, the owner of the ring took a deep breath, held it firmly in the palm of his hand, and said “I had no idea it was worth so much. Honestly, I was ready to take whatever I could get for it. But now that I’ve seen it like this, I think I’ll keep it in the family.”

The jeweler smiled and replied, “That’s the remarkable thing. It was always worth more than you could imagine. The value never changed; you just couldn’t see it beneath the blemishes.”

WE ARE LIKE THIS MAN

But our identity was never determined by the blemishes. Like the diamond, the value was always there.

When we come to God, he does not discover something new about us—he reveals what has always been true. Though he cleans what sin has stained and restores what life has dulled, the worth he shows us is not something we earn or regain; it is something we finally see.

That is why Scripture says we are “God’s workmanship” and “a chosen people.” Our value does not increase when we are restored; our vision does. The hands of the Master change the way we see ourselves by removing what was never meant to define us.

And once we see our true identity, like the man with the ring, we realize we are not something to be traded cheaply or thrown away. We realize our worth, awakening to the truth that we’ve always belonged; we’ve always had unimaginable value.

THE SON CAME TO HIS SENSES

In Luke 15, we encounter a parable of Jesus, what many translations call “The Prodigal Son.” In it, we have a young man who, after wanting to get out of the house, asked for his inheritance early. He soon found himself overwhelmed with the consequences of his request.

WE ARE LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON

Jesus did not come to change God’s mind about you; he came to change our minds about God.

Upon arrival, the son gives his polished confession (“I’m no longer worthy to be called your son”). But I just love what the father does: he refuses to give time and energy to that nonsense (God doesn’t speak slave language).

He then calls for a massive celebration, to express the gratitude of the restoration of what was always true.

Like the son, you’re worthy before you do anything. You’re still worthy after you’ve done about everything. You are enough before you do anything. And you’re still enough after you’ve done about everything.

I assume this is why Paul says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

THE CROSS REVEALS YOUR WORTH

Being made in the image of God means you’re worth more than you can begin to imagine. That’s right: you have always been in his image—and for this, you’ve never ceased being his beloved child.

The scriptures confirm the truth of our worth BEFORE the cross:

John 15:15: Jesus hadn’t been to the cross, and still calls them friends (“No longer do I call you slaves…but I have called you friends…”)

Luke 12:7: Before the cross, Jesus declares that we are “more valuable than a great number of sparrows.”

Matthew 13:44: The kingdom lies within the field (you and me), and God is continually searching the field in order to draw forth its treasure (also see Luke 17:21).

Isaiah 43:4: The prophet Isaiah says, “you are precious in My sight…you are honored and I love you.”

Song of Solomon 4:9: The King, which is a type and shadow of Jesus, says to the bride, “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes...”

CONCLUSION

One of the greatest struggles we face is whether we believe that we have value. Many of us live as though our worth has been reduced by what we’ve done, what’s been done to us, or what others have said about us.

We, like the owner of the diamond ring, may have failed to realize our immense worth, but God is committed to us; he’s knocking off the dust of the journey so that we may NOW see and awaken to who we are!

You’re way too valuable to not know this good news!

—RA

Other references:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” 1 Peter 2:9

What about the Father?