*EXCELLENT LIFE KEYS* 🔑🗝️
Tue/23rd/Aug/2022
*Francis Reign* (Ap & Coach)
_"Raising excellent agents of change and transformation, well equipped with Truth and Wisdom."_
*UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS AND WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST (162)*
_"Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it"_ (Matthew 13:45-46).
Between the parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, we can notice this distinction: The Treasure is made up of units of precious things, such as coins and gems of various kinds, although they are collectively one treasure. The pearl, however, is a single object. These two illustrations - both of which conclude at the same place, the completion of the purchase - represent different aspects of the same truths: the costliness of the Treasure or Pearl, and the joy of the purchaser. The merchant is seriously and deliberately searching the world to secure the best and costliest gems. It is his livelihood, and he is diligent to travel extensively because he knows his effort will be rewarded when he finds the best pearls and purchase them.
Since Christ is the One who seeks the sinner, the merchant cannot represent the members of God's Church. The Shepherd seeks the sheep, not vice versa. The use of the word "seeking" helps identify the merchant as Christ, as it means "to depart from one place and arrive at another." Jesus did this Himself to pay the price for the pearl. He departed from heaven and arrived on the earth to complete His mission. He gave up everything - He sold all - to possess us!
God's grace is essential in understanding this parable. The merchant is willing to buy the pearl at an exorbitant cost. No one can buy salvation or the Kingdom of God or eternal life for himself. Grace would not be grace if one were able to barter with God. According to Scripture, we have no righteousness, no talents, no goods, nothing that is of any value in purchasing such priceless gift from God. We do not choose Christ, He selects us. Since He is the merchant, the price paid was His life, and the Church is the Pearl. The Church is one Body, with one Spirit, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.
*EXCELLENCE KEY* 🗝️
_It is encouraging to know that Jesus Christ doesn't seek us in a reluctant fulfilment of duty, but with an efficient, organized, preplanned goal in mind._
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*Excellence is within you. Bring it out >>*
#1547 ELK.
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