God’s Greatest Investment—The Creation of Humanity

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 30, 2024

Investment: “the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.” Asking most individuals to share their viewpoints on investing and almost all will give similar answers by focusing on the financial arena. Our world revolves around generating profits from ever-increasing corporate and personal investment portfolios.

Investment: (Definition #2): “an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” Two appropriate definitions of investing, although both have expectations of gaining, financial investments involve risks including total loss beyond the investor’s control.

Yes, God knew there would be a great human loss from Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience, but still, He chose to create us. Jesus clarifies that He would have died even if only one human being was saved [Luke 15]. The creation of humanity and the gift of Jesus for our redemption was a Spiritual Package revealing God’s Greatest Investment!

Although legions of angels—heavenly messengers exist in a perfect, sinless atmosphere of love and Jesus Christ is their Commander, angels do not have free will of choice, they hear and fulfill their duties with faithful obedience which was Lucifer’s complaint. Once cast out, his mission remains to defame God’s Character and to turn us against our Loving, Heavenly Father.

God’s Investment: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image…’ “…Then God blessed them…” —Genesis 1:24, 28

Christ’s Investment: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” —Genesis 2:7

We can only imagine the awestruck angels who watched Jesus lovingly bend down, pick up dust [clay, mud] into His hands creating Adam in His image, and breathing life into his body. Anyone who has witnessed the birth of a baby and anxiously waits for its first breath and cries understands God’s Divine love and power. What a great heavenly celebration on the day of Adam’s creation!

Our intellect, emotions, physicality, heart, and soul are attached to the great God as the umbilical cord between mother and baby. Jesus, the Master Artist created the Garden of Eden as the first couple’s forever home filled with magnificent beauty. Adam’s first assignment was naming numerous species in the animal kingdom revealing his superior intellect given by Christ.

With the creation of humanity, Christ gifted us the free will to choose whether or not we would honor and worship God through total surrender and obedience. The ability to choose freely has proven that Satan’s character is evil and malicious. God’s love, grace, and mercies are evident by patiently extending Christ’s Second Coming. Every living being chooses their destiny by accepting or rejecting the Plan of Redemption.

Although the beauty of God’s original plan for humanity was marred by Satanic deception, God was prepared, He knew Adam and Eve would fall, therefore, the Plan of Redemption was established before the Creation. Christ’s Investment: Christ would become the Sacrificial Lamb: “…Without the shedding of blood there is no remission [forgiveness] of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).

Christ’s Investment: “Genesis 3:20-24: Jesus sacrificed animals to provide clothing for Adam and Eve after they sinned and were wearing fig leaves. This is the first sacrifice in the Bible.”

Although the loss of their beautiful home and immortality was great, Jesus never left Adam and Eve feeling hopeless. Imagine the grief in Adam and Eve’s hearts every time they sacrificed a lamb from their flock, yet, they knew animal sacrifice foreshadowed the prophecy of the Messiah who would come and save all from sin. And yes, the original couple knew Jesus would come back one day to raise them from their graves and they would receive eternal life.

Christ’s Investment: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” —Psalm 139:14

From studying the Old Testament and maintaining a dedicated prayer life, King David received wisdom from the Holy Spirit revealing that humanity is God’s greatest investment. David’s response: “…He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’ ” (Hebrews 13:22).

As we fast forward thousands of years later, many believers are not serving God as David did. God cannot describe us as one “who will do all My will.” Our gratitude can be nothing less than a prayer of daily surrender and faithful obedience. How often do we reflect on Jesus’ sacrificial offering for giving His life to save our souls?

Christ’s Investment: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” —1 Corinthians 6:20

Reflection: Are we investing in ourselves? If our hearts are filled with love and humility, we receive wisdom from the Holy Spirit to live as though we are God’s greatest investment. The human effort of full cooperation with the Holy Spirit allows the conversion of our hearts, only then can we receive the majestic covering of the Righteousness of Christ.

” ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:23, 31, NIV

We actively participate in our spiritual growth and transformation by courageously renouncing sin. Our daily battle is won with prayer and the power of God through the Holy Spirit. We do not harm ourselves by embracing worldviews and choosing unhealthy lifestyles including food, relationships, and habits that dishonor our temples. Nor do we cause mental or emotional harm to others by speaking unloving, harsh words. Our characters must reflect the loving, gentle Character of Christ.

“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4, NASB). We do not involve ourselves in political agendas, religious debates, or social issues that compromise our righteousness through Christ. We help those in need, follow Jesus, and mind our personal affairs. A sound mind and energy are required to work out our salvation, a full-time effort.

The Bible is our Guidebook to Eternal Life—The Holy Scriptures. When we understand the love, time, dedication, and continuous effort of Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor, we establish uncompromising boundaries. Prayer is our lifeline. Our only acceptable responses to Christ’s investment in freeing us from the enslavement of sin are faithful obedience and striving for Sanctification.

If we understand and appreciate who we belong to and the immense price paid for our freedom from the second death, our response will be a daily covenant of surrender, “to do all of God’s will.” Our thoughts, priorities, social circles, and habits radically change because the Holy Spirit has converted our hearts and we live with the mindset of “I am going to heaven!” Like Job, we proclaim, “I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” —Revelation 4:11

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for Your overflowing love, grace, and mercies. Thank You for investing Your precious life on Calvary’s cross to save our souls. We give You all the honor, glory, and praise as we strive to be people after “Your heart.” In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2024 SDJ—Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions