The Price of a Pearl

The Price of a Pearl.

Romans 15:14-21.

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:14-16 (NKJV)

The book of Romans is a masterful book containing the plan of God for the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church. Paul speaks to the subject of sin, the law, sacrifice, forgiveness, and God’s goodness; the question that we must ask is, “What more do we need to turn to God with our whole heart?”

A measure of our faith is seen in our works; not that we manufacture good works, but good works should be flowing from us like a river of water. “Full of goodness,” say Paul. Our lives should be full of goodness.

We can also measure our faith by our ability to deal with tough problems and tough people. Admonishing or showing someone the right way should eliminate confrontations and peace in relationships should be occurring.

One last thing that Paul says we can measure our faith with is our ability to know the scriptures delivered to us; for they were delivered not for our casual reading but that we might know the will of God.

Faith is not blind, as some would accuse. Faith is based upon promise and hope in the dealings of God with men like Paul. Our faith is not summed up in the experience of those like Paul, but the experience of letting God’s word into our hearts, transforming us in to the people of God. Lastly, faith is based upon the miracle power that raised Jesus from the grave and its presence in our life bringing to us answers to prayer and supernatural acts of the love from God.

Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient — in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:17-19 (NKJV)

When reading Romans or the rest of scripture, a person could have many reactions; but if it is not the reaction of Paul to sell all to have the kingdom of Heaven, then what reaction could suffice the heart of God. God gave His own son to suffer humiliation, torture, and death so that we might have life and our response measures how much we believe in His sacrifice.

For some, knowing God’s sacrifice will cause them to buy a Bible, go to church on some Sundays, and pray when they eat, but that is it. Because of their attitude towards this, they produce a measure of little faith.

Then again, there are those who knowing the sacrifice of God, will do a little more. They will get involved in church events and listen to Christian music, tithe some of their money and associate in Christians groups. Because of their belief, they will create a Christian environment in hopes that one day they will join the larger Christian environment in heaven.

Though we would never turn away people like these we have mentioned, God will be the final judge and on that day, when He separates the sheep from the goats, their response will be measured. Which draws us to ask, why would Jesus tell the story of the pearl of great price if there was not a measurement of our faith?

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand." Romans 15:20-21 (NKJV)

There is so much that God intends us to understand, that to live a nominal Christian life might not measure up to the standards God has set for men. God did not stop at a sacrifice of His son; God intervened into the lives of many individuals to produce written experiences that we can learn from.

These experienced pain, suffering, poverty, wrath, persecution, as God gathered their stories into a book that can be found in every city around the world. We can read the depths of their pain and the height of their glories, finding truths about God that can mold us to be men and women of God with great impact in our community and the world.

It was this that motivated Paul and clearly he explains his reasons to us in this book of Romans. Yet, it will do us no good unless we study to understand the magnitude of the truth assembled here. Yet, it is only one book of many that God has assembled for us.

To close we must ask, if God would go through such great lengths to bring to us these scriptures, how great is the price of the pearl and will the measure of our faith be enough to purchase it? We have been given so much that we must consider that much is expected from us.

Faith is based upon the miracle power that raised Jesus from the grave and its presence in our life bringing to us answers to prayer and supernatural acts of the love from God.

Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant seeking after pearls; who after finding a pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. This salvation Paul found for Gentiles is as the pearl of great price and Paul could see the value being greater than his own accomplishments, lifestyle, health, and life. Paul sold all to buy the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why would a person like Paul take on the daring role of becoming a minister of the Holy God to Gentiles if there were not a good reason? The task could get him killed and the rejection by his own people would inflict much sorrow. Why would Paul give up his years of training under Gamaliel and his prestige from service to the Jews to join Christians being hunted? The answers to these questions are found in the reality that Paul had found.