Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price

These two parables, the treasure hid in a field and the pearl of great price, have their similarities and differences. Both speak of the Lord Jesus Christ, and both show the finder selling all to gain Him. Yet the first shows the finder "stumbling upon" this great treasure, and the second actively seeking it. These show the sovereign workings of our God in our salvation. There are some that are not seeking the Lord Jesus Christ, yet He comes to them where they are and reveals Himself to them. Others (after that God begins to draw them to Christ) seek Him diligently and find Him, to their great joy. How can we ever get over the wonder of our salvation! Such marvelous lovingkindnesses, such grace! Sometimes God withholds salvation, or assurance of salvation, for a time. Bunyan, who struggled greatly with assurance, despaired, I shall never know Christ in a saving manner! And yet one who would be a great preacher in Wales stumbled into church after a drinking binge and God saved him. Today, tragically, people who name the name of Christ value insignificant things and don't appear to esteem Christ more than the riches of Egypt. Christ is of infinite value, and to gain Him is worth anything and everything.