Christ Precious! # 1

Christ Precious! # 1

"Unto you therefore who believe - He is precious!" (1 Pet. 2:7).

FAITH in Christ is all important. It is both the gift of God's grace - and yet the exercise of man's heart. It is going to Christ, trusting in Christ, committing the soul to Christ, and relying alone on Christ. Wherever there is faith there is also unbelief, and these two opposite principles will so contend in the believer's bosom, that he is at times unable to conclude whether he believes or not. At such times, we should repair to God's Word, and seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit, search out the proofs of faith therein contained. Many such proofs are scattered through the Word, and they are simple and satisfactory; but I want to confine your attention to one, and a very sweet one, "Unto you therefore who believe - He is precious!"

Consider the FACT: Jesus is precious to all believers. He is prized by them, they set a very high value upon Him. He is enjoyed by them, yes, there is nothing they enjoy so much. He is an honor to them, and believing on Him is an honor to them.

Every believer VALUES Christ. Let others think of Him as they may, all who are taught of God, think highly of Him. They can never honor Him as they wish, or enjoy Him to their full satisfaction.

Every believer feels their NEED of Him. No weary traveler ever felt his need of rest, no hungry laborer ever felt his need of food, no drowning mariner ever felt his need of a life-boat - as the believer has felt his need of Christ.

They need to be saved - and only Christ can save them. They need to be happy - and only Jesus can make them happy. They need His blood to  cleanse them from sin, and procure their pardon. They need His righteousness clothe their souls, and justify them before God.

They need His Spirit to sanctify their nature, and make them fit for Heaven.

They need His intercession to secure them from evil, and procure for them good things.

They need His fullness of grace to supply all their needs from earth to Heaven.


Every believer discovers the exact SUITABILITY of Christ to them. He is just what they need - He has all that they need!

They are foolish - He has wisdom. They are unrighteous - and He has righteousness. They are unholy - and He has holiness. They are weak - and He has strength. They are in bondage - and He has redemption. They are lost - and He has salvation.

In a word, they are led to see that God has stored up everything in Jesus, and that possessing Him - they have all things!

Every Christian believes on Him to the saving of the soul. They trust Him to procure their pardon, peace with God, and everlasting life.

Their heart goes out to Him, they repose confidence in Him; they commit their souls to Him, they build on Him - as God's foundation; they hide in Him - as the sinner's refuge; and they trust themselves with Him - as the Almighty Saviour.

This is faith, and to all who have this faith - Jesus is precious. But He is only precious to believers. Others do not feel their need of Him, do not see His adaptation to them, and do not depend on Him for pardon, peace with God, and everlasting life.

The apostle gives certain reasons WHY Christ is precious to believers, let us look at -

The REASONS why Christ is precious. God has laid Him for a FOUNDATION. He is the one foundation of the church, on which the whole building rests, and from which it derives safety.  He is the only foundation of a sinner's hope. On Him we must build for eternity - and on Him alone. He is the foundation of every believer's hope. Only by building on Jesus - will hope spring up in the soul, cheering and comforting the heart.

He is the CHOSEN of God. Chosen to be the Saviour. Chosen to be the center of attraction, the source of supply, and the author of eternal salvation - unto all those who obey Him. He was chosen to be the storehouse of blessings, out of which all who believe in His name shall be supplied. "For it pleased the Father, that in Him should all fullness dwell."

~James Smith~

(continued with # 2)