“We must understand the difference between
what is priceless and what is cheap,
what is important and what is trivial.” (1)
Who said this and when?
Based on the success of MasterCard’s ad campaign, I suspect many would guess that these famous words were pinned by a savvy copy-writer for a New York Ad Agency. Instead, these words were penned by Martin Luther in the 1520’s.
Luther was discussing how we are saved by God’s grace, as opposed to our good works. Luther considered God’s grace as priceless, more valuable than anything we can earn, do, or purchase.
It is God’s priceless grace, rather than our good works which save us.
Most Christians drive themselves to frenzied exhaustion trying to make sure that they have done just enough good things in their life to secure the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. Luther drove himself into this frenzy before he understood that we are only saved by grace. It was then that he learned that the priceless life comes when we live from God’s grace, rather than for His grace.
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, in Isaiah 55:1-2, God extended this priceless invitation to us:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money,come, buy and eat!
Buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.” (2)
If you align yourself with God, you can sort out what is important and what is not. It is then, and only then, that you can live a priceless life.
In writing about the Apostle’s Paul joy in his service for God, Margaret Bottome wrote, “To Paul doing Christ’s work was his earthly pay, but gaining Christ’s smile was heaven.” (3)
Luther, Isaiah, and Paul knew what was priceless.
Do you?
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Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 
Hooray! You’ve got it. Just perfect.
Thank you. God is good!