Reflection #1 on 'Measure of a Man' by 4HIM

They can do their best to rate you
And they'll place you on their charts.

But there is more to what you are worth

What is the value of man? What is he worth? In the song "Measure of a Man," the group 4Him asks that question. They answer that the way the world measures success or value is not the way God measures it--and they are right.

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet," (Psalm 8:4 NASB).

The value God placed on you and me can be seen in many places in the Bible. God demonstrates man's value in creation, we were created in His image--that's an honor; at the cross of Christ, where the price for our redemption was paid with the precious blood of Jesus; and in the age to come, where God forever makes His home with us.

God does not measure our value by our accomplishments or attributes. After all, He gave us our talents and He enables us to do good things. No, God measures our worth according to His lovingkindness, His compassion and His mercy. Think about this:

When the angels rebelled against God He did not send a Savior to redeem them, but God paid the highest price possible to redeem you and me.

Humans are competitive by nature. I personally think it is the result of man's fall and the loss of our sense of value in being grounded in God's love for us. Nonetheless, this world is always measuring a person's success in terms of another's.

As Christians let's turn our attention away from comparing ourselves to others, and instead compare ourselves to the goal set for us by our Creator.

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29 NASB).

Now I understand that this is a very high standard, and that it will take the grace and power of God for us to even move toward it, but we should make a start. So start today. Stop comparing yourself to the Joneses. Instead open the Bible, look at the Master and humble yourself before Him. Take joy in the value that God has placed on you. Seek your security in His love. Examine the price God paid to redeem you by looking at the person of Jesus as described in the Bible. Then you will understand the measure of a man.

-Suzy C.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 8:4; Romans 8:29