The pearl of great price
The pearl of great price by lcl
Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls;
Mat 13:46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Many desire heaven as a place of rest, joy, peace and riches. Heaven is described as a place filled with streets of gold and jeweled walls. But, are these things really what we desire? We are told money cannot buy happiness on earth. Why would it be different in heaven? When riches become pavement, they signify that which is common and not greatly desired. Roads are really just tools to help us get to where we want to go. Yet, this parable tells us heaven is so desirable that we should be willing to give all we have in order to gain heaven. What then is the real value of heaven? Rest in itself is nice for awhile, but it would become tiresome and useless to rest for an eternity. The joy and peace is then the real value we desire, but where does it come from?
Joy and peace can only exist where there is an absence of sin that is found in things like lust, greed, jealousy, lies and malicious intent. Be thankful that Satan is not invited to enter heaven! That fact does away with the negative feelings that would cause despair. But where then does joy originate from? It comes out of a loving relationship. Case in point, is that Eve was created not only as a helper but a companion mate. God knew that we need to be close to someone that really cares about us. Heaven is described as a place filled with those who have cared about us. That is great, but we are also told that relationships are not the same there. We are to be as angels who are not given in marriage or have sensual relationships leading to children. Over time, those relationships may weaken. How then does a spirit find love? The answer lies in the Spirit and Person of God who is the author of real love. The type of love that is real enough to endure the pain of sacrifice. God proved His love when Christ suffered and allowed Himself to be crucified for us in obedience to the will of The Father and His desire for our salvation. This is a love worthy of an eternity of praise and worship. A trusting love that always tells the truth, chastens us when required, offers unending grace and finds joy in compassionate service. Truly, God proved His love and calls on us in the first commandment to love Him in return with all out heart soul and mind.
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
How do we show that love: Fellowship with God, praise and obedience to the words of Christ. By obedience to the point of dying to our own self will, we offer ourselves to do the will of The Father. In short, we honor God. We, like Jesus submit to The Father and we become His children
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.
Gal 5:24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Sounds like a match made in Heaven to me. It will last an eternity! It is certainly equal to a pearl of great price, and is worth our giving up all to obtain it.