The Worth Of The Individual

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Apr 1987

Churches of God, which comprise the spiritual house of God today, owe much of their value to the combined worth of the individuals in them. The Hebrews epistle is obviously written to a collective people because of the use of the pronouns us an~ we: also the fact that the recipients of the letter were to obey those that ruled over them, i.e. overseers in a church of God; and thirdly, the contrast in the epistle between the nation of Israel under the old covenant and the Israel of God under the new

But in this epistle we also find a striking comparison; the value and importance of individuals in God's plan and purpose. This is found in the celebrated 11th chapter which features men and women of faith. These were from Abel, Enoch, Noah onward to the unnamed martyrs who were stoned, sawn asunder, slain. They were individual gems in the crown of divine testimony, and we must link ourselves with them as we seek in these perilous days to imitate their faith. Remembering too that it is to him that overcometh "will I give of the hidden manna... a white stone ... a new name ..."(Rev.2:17).

The following are choice examples selected from the Scriptures of ordinary people, who under God, became individuals of increased worth.

DORCAS

Joppa was where Jonah boarded ship and sailed to Tarshish rather than go to Nineveh and preach God's message. It was where Peter was visited by the messengers of Cornelius after God had spoken to him in a trance on the roof4op of Simon the tanner's house. And it was where Dorcas lived and died. That a church of God was planted there is indicated by the references to saints, disciples, widows, and men who were sent as messengers to Peter in nearby Lydda (Acts 9:38,41).

Dorcas means "gazelle", suggesting one who is gentle, gracious, bright-eyed, inoffensive. In a highly populated coastal seaport such as Joppa, she would probably be well-known as a disciple of Christ because of her generosity and kindness. Nothing is recorded in Acts as to what she said, but her good works spoke for her. Her fingers were busy making garments for the needy. Her hands were also outstretched with her love gifts of money to the poor. Her life shone like a star. She was a credit to the name of the Lord. Dorcas was a disciple indeed, and this glowing tribute is eternally recorded:

this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did... and all the widows stood by... weeping, and shewing the coats which Dorcas made, while she was with them (vv. 36, 39).

NOAH

This man of God lived in an amoral society where people blatantly and perpetually committed wickedness, despite warnings of impending judgement. Following the way of Cain, they refused the pleadings of God's preacher of righteousness, Noah (2 Peter 2:5). Can you imagine living in such a time when not one soul, outside of your own family, was saved? Things are bad enough in our world today where sin is exceedingly sinful; but many are accepting the gospel. But it was not so in Noah's day, and how discouraging and distressing it must have been to him. Yet this dear man carried on patiently, faithfully, day after day, testifying by word and work; warning, exhorting, praying, and no doubt interceding, until that memorable day when God called him into the ark and shut the door (Gen. 7:1, 16).

Noah's name means comfort, and in the circumstances of the day he was a comfort only to his family and his God. When we find things oppressive and hard to accept, we should remember Noah's faithful witness in the light of daily rejection by people; the increasing scorn, mockery, taunting, and insults he must have endured, from forerunners of the same treatment to Christ. To an individual of noble worth these tributes are paid: "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Gen. 6:8); "Noah ... a preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5); "became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith" (Heb. 11:7).

UNNAMED WOMAN

She was a lonely soul surrounded by critics; like a helpless creature at bay. There were mutterings of disapproval, shaking of heads in astonishment, black looks of displeasure; but she ignored them all. She had fulfilled her heart's purpose; the anointing of Him who had exchanged the adoration of the heavenly sons of flame for that of the sons of men. "How dare she do it?" whispered the disciples-cum-critics, "Such a waste". If the words of calumny reached her, as she was hemmed in by murmurers, she must have trembled. But she remained silent as would He Himself before His accusers very soon.

Suddenly the picture changed as He came to her aid. Instead of critics she was surrounded by His protection. Her soul could then quietly say: "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear; What can man do unto me" (Ps. 118:6)? "Leave her alone ..." cried the Lord. "She has done a most gracious act towards Me" (Mark 14:7 Moffatt). He was her advocate4efender. The Greeks have a word for it - paraklesis - one alongside to comfort, bring solace. Her anointing exceeded that done to the prophets, priests and kings of Israel. He was Messiah, the King of Glory, the Eternal One.

In these glowing words the Lord estimates her worth: "She has done all she could - for she has anointed My body in preparation for burial. I assure you that wherever the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this deed of hers will also be recounted, as a memorial to Me" (vv. 8,9, Phillips).

Soon afterwards those same disciples met with Him to keep His memorial in bread and wine. Did they think to wash His feet? He washed theirs!

BEZALEL

Out of a nation of over two million, the Lord chose a previously unmentioned man to help construct the tabernacle in the wilderness. His name was Bezalel, meaning "in the shadow of God"; perhaps living there was characteristic of him. He was not only chosen, but prepared by God.

And Moses said... See, the LORD hath called Bezalel... and he hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship... (Ex. 35:30-35).

He and Oholiab, another "unknown", were to make and teach others to make the things of gold, silver, precious stones, wood; and the embroidery, and the weaving of the blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen.

Bezalel; a son of the kingly tribe of Judah, faced a gigantic task, but with the aid of Oholiab, and of wise and willing men and women, it was completed to God's satisfaction and glory. Then he disappeared from the scene leaving behind him a monumental testimony to his labour of love. Apart from genealogy, he is only once referred to some 500 years later when "the brazen altar that Bezalel ... had made was there before the tabernacle of the LORD" (2 Chron. 1:5). He is an example to us today to complete under the Spirit's guidance, in a careful and skilful way, the task of building God's spiritual house.

OTHER CHOICE EXAMPLES

Dr. F.W. Boreham, a godly preacher who was abundantly blessed of God, wrote a book on the Bible verses which brought to Christ 23 people who became prominent Christians. He called it "A Bunch of Everlastings". In it mention is made of a diminutive individual named Thomas Bilney, a Cambridge scholar, lovingly called "little Bilney, who was saved after reading Erasmus' Latin translation of the New Testament. It was Paul's great word which blessed him: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (I Tim. 1:5 AV). It became the urge of Bilney to lead renowned church leader Hugh Latimer to Christ, and so he prayed: "0 God, I am but little Bilney and shall never do any great thing for Thee; but give me the soul of that man, Hugh Latimer, and what wonders he shall do in Thy most holy Name". That prayer was answered when Bilney read

Paul's same word from Erasmus' translation to Latimer, when they were both on their knees, and he was saved. Latimer's faithful preaching thereafter cost him his life, and as he was burning at the stake he encouraged his fellow Christian: "Courage, Master Ridley, this day we shall light a candle that by the grace of God shall not be put out".

What a tremendous impact, under God, one individual can have! That individual can be your or I.

Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies,

And not to covetousness.

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,

And quicken me in Thy ways. (Ps. 119: 36,37).

I am a companion of all them that fear Thee,

and of them that observe Thy precepts.

The earth, 0 LORD, is full of Thy mercy:

Teach me Thy statutes. (vv. 63, 64).

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Apr 1987
General