Our Value Comes From Christ

                         "Christ did not die on the cross for us because we are so valuable.
                          We are so valuable because Christ died on the cross for us."
                                                                                   R.C. Sproul, Jr.


                                                       *****************


          Compared to God's holiness and righteousness, all our "good" deeds count for
     nothing in His eyes.  They are tainted by our sinfulness.
    

                                             "All of us have become like one who is unclean,
                                              and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

                                              we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind
                                              our sins sweep us away."
                                                                                           Isaiah 64:6


            
           My salvation shows that God is determined to save His people, no matter
     what they have done.  His mercy and never-ending patience are displayed
     through the salvation of every sinner.

                                               ".... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-
                                                of whom I am the worst.

                                                But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that
                                                in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might
                                                display His unlimited patience as an example for
                                                those who would believe on Him and receive
                                                eternal life."
                                                                                         1 Timothy 1:15b-16


             Everyone Jesus has redeemed receives the Holy Spirit.


                                                "He redeemed us in order that the blessing
                                                 given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles
                                                 through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we
                                                 might receive the promise of the Spirit."
                                                                                          Galatians 3:14


            Every redeemed sinner who is in Christ is a new person, filled with His
     righteousness.


                                                 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
                                                   he is a new creation.

                                                   The old has passed away; behold
                                                   the new has come."
                                                                                          2 Corinthians 5:17


                                                 "For our sake He made Him to be sin who
                                                  knew no sin, so that in Him we might
                                                  become the righteousness of God."
                                                                                           2 Corinthians 5:21