If you know anything about diamonds, you know that their value is determined by four “Cs”: Cut, clarity, caret, and color.  God also has His own set of four “Cs” to note the value of our lives.

The Bible says in Genesis 1:27: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Our worth to God begins with the fact that He created us. We are each unique in His sight. We read in Psalm 139: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (verses 13-14).

The second “C” that shows our worth to Christ is that He cleansed us. Isaiah tells us that Jesus would be “pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5). By the cleansing blood of Jesus, all of our sins are washed away.

The third “C” that shows us our worth to Christ is crafted. Jesus Who made us and then redeemed us has through water and the Word crafted us into new beings. In II Corinthians 5:17, we read: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The fourth “C” that shows us our worth to Christ is called. The Lord has called us to use our time, talents, treasures, and tongues to share the good news of Christ Jesus with the world. We read in I Peter 2:9: “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him, Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

A diamond is one of the best known gems in the world. Its value is determined by cut, clarity, carat, and color. Have you ever considered yourself as a great gem to God? We are, not because of our own worth, but because of the worth God gives us as He created, cleansed, crafted, and called us. Be the gem the Lord made you to be and bring Him glory throughout this New Year.