The Art of Making Pearls

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. — I John 3:14

When a foreign irritant gets inside the shell of an oyster, a pearl is formed. The irritant is covered with layers of a substance called nacre. When the foreign irritant (sort of like us getting a splinter under our fingernail) invades the oyster’s soft inner parts, the natural reaction is to cover the irritant to protect itself from the constant pain. To alleviate the pain, the oyster wraps the foreign object with secretions, eventually creating a pearl. Not all pearls turn out well. Some are oddly shaped and are not as valuable as those of perfect shape.

In the parable of the pearl (Matthew 13:45-46), the fine pearls represent those who have accepted the call to salvation provided by Jesus Christ. The merchant (Jesus) went away (died on the cross) and bought the pearl (believers Hebrews 12:2).

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed (purchased) from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. — I Peter 1:18-19

What would happen if every time an irritant gets under our skin, rather than trying to get rid of it we secreted this strange substance around it—called love. The irritant enters our sphere; we begin to immediately wrap love around the irritant until it becomes a pearl. Some beautiful, some not so beautiful; but love would at worst relieve the irritant—at best make a beautiful pearl that we could enjoy the rest of our lives.

I have a feeling that the degree of true and sincere love of Christ we would wrap around an irritating person would determine the luminosity of that person. The more love—the more beauty.

There are Christians who have not turned out well, and shall we say—are oddly shaped, and thus not as valuable as they could be. Perhaps that’s because they were not wrapped in love in their formative years. Wrapping an irritant in love doesn’t negate the lost art of lovingly rebuking those who are clearly wrong.

Paul told Timothy, “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning” (I Tim. 5:20); and… “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge; preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” — II Timothy 4:1-2

Some well-meaning people say they just want to lead with love like Jesus did, clearly forgetting that Jesus rebuked Peter quite harshly at one time (Mark 8:33); on numerous occasions Jesus accused His disciples of having little or no faith; he told them they were dull (Matthew 15:16); he called the Pharisees hypocrites (Matthew 22:18); and twice He cleared the temple—with whips! (John 2:13-16; Matthew 21:12-13).

Jesus wasn’t a weak-minded, willy-nilly man who allowed sin to run rampant in the lives of those around Him. Clearly, He led with strength—in love.

Everyone needs boundaries and parameters. Without Godly boundaries we descend into an unhappy and disorderly behavior pattern. This is vividly portrayed in the indulgent lives of the offspring of Eli, Samuel and King David. Due to the lack of correction and Godly training, their children grew up quite dysfunctional. Each parent reaped untold grief due to their lack of Godly directional leadership with their children.

Like some pearls that don’t turn out well—odd shaped and less valuable than they should be to the Body of Christ—some churches are oddly shaped and less valuable than they should be, as well. Instead of thriving, they sometimes fail due to the lack of loving Godly leadership.

When this happens there will be those who are hurt or disillusioned. As you come into contact with these people and listen to their stories, wrap each one with the loving instruction of the Word of God. While we can’t allow ourselves to become dumping grounds for their bitterness, we must hear their heart and give them loving instruction, as set forth in the Scriptures.

Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. — Ephesians 4:29

Bottom line—wrap all situations with love. We love with encouragement. We love with instruction. We love with exhortation. We love with discipline—but we love!

Not everyone will respond positively and become beautiful pearls—some will leave, and some will be “odd shaped” and less valuable to the fellowship. Nevertheless, what we cover with love, God will keep from irritating us. It is up to Him what kind of pearl He makes.

As God’s people, we must grow up to maturity in Christ. We must encourage everyone who comes within our sphere to grow up, as well. We simply cannot continue to have baby Christians—remain babies.

Let’s wrap every irritant with the pure love of Jesus, and each of us do our part to make the bride of Christ a beautiful pearl, worthy of His high calling. Of course, this will require “older Christians” to spend time in the Word of God so they know how to train younger Christians.

Are you doing your part?

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. — I Peter 2:2

Further Study
Matthew 5
Matthew 6
Matthew 7
I Corinthians 3
I Corinthians 4
I Corinthians 6

The Cross

“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24

The story is told about a man who went to the Lord and complained that his cross was too heavy to bear. The Lord showed him a room where He stored the crosses and told the man to choose the cross of his liking. The man searched and searched all around the room but all of the crosses were large and cumbersome. Finally, completely dejected, he spotted a small cross near the door where he had entered. Hurrying over to it he exclaimed, “Lord, I’ll take this one!” “My child,” the Lord said gently, “that is the cross you brought in.” Author unknown

By its very definition a cross is cursed. It is difficult. It is cumbersome. It is hurtful. And we will bend under the load of it unless we are following our Lord. Reread what Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” The cross then, is the denial of our self, the denial of anything and everything that prevents us from following Christ. How difficult that is unless we die to self—daily (I Corinthians 15:31).

In the context of the verse, Jesus had just told His disciples He was going to die, and Peter had taken Him aside and rebuked Him. Peter loved Jesus and he didn’t want Him to suffer. Peter was trying to get Jesus to bypass the cross and choose the easy way. But Jesus chose the cross, and Hebrews 12:2 tells us He endured it with joy—just for us.

So, if Jesus endured the cross for us with joy, should it not be our joy to endure our cross for Him? What then does that look like walked out in shoe leather? It is the denial of our self. When someone hurts us, we deny our self the quick retort that immediately springs to mind. We allow others to go before us. We think of others before we think of ourselves. We think how they will feel if we do or say what we are thinking—and we deny ourselves—and love them in return.

Simply put, we walk through life with a gentle spirit. We settle our spirit down so that our outward walk manifests the quiet spirit that is within. This does not come overnight nor does it come easily. It comes with prayer and practice. When we fail, we ask forgiveness and begin again in the strength of the Lord.

Denying ourselves and taking up our own cross is admitting that we are no longer our own person. We now belong to Christ. We are a gift from our Father to His Son (John 17:6). We were bought at a very high price—God’s only Son. Since we no longer own ourselves, we are not entitled to defend ourselves. We have no rights. Everything we have belongs to God. Indeed, all of our being belongs to God. We “follow after Christ” and it is up to Him to take care of us, give us strength to carry our cross, feed us, clothe us, and provide all that we need for today (Matthew 6:25-34).

For the joy that is set before you, pleasing your Father, take up your cross today and follow after Christ. And tonight take anything that has hurt you and everything that you have overcome, and offer it up to God as a wonderful sacrificial bouquet. And then, lay your head down on your pillow and rest, knowing that your life today has been a pleasing aroma to your Lord (Exodus 29:18).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 5:3

Recommended Reading
Matthew 10:37-39
Romans 8:5-11; 12:1-2
Philippians 2:1-11; 3:7-14
Revelation 22:12


Copyright © 2009 by Peggy Britt. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.