I’m on the fence about the idea of being worthy.
I’ve seen a lot of talk over the years about “You are enough.” And, I get the meaning of that message. I know a lot of people spend a lot of time beating themselves up wishing they were “more” instead of blooming right where they are planted. Let’s just say … I can relate.
But the truth is, in our own selves, we are not worthy or deserving of anything.
We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we display our righteous deeds,
they are nothing but filthy rags.
Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,
and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
Isaiah 64:6 NLT
We need to know we are not worthy
It is hard to hear that even on our best days, our righteous is like a filthy rag; but it is an important message. Because we all need to know we need a Savior! If everything we do and say is accepted, and we are told, “You do you,” how will we know we are not in a good place?
But once we accept Jesus as our Savior, everything is different!
God … “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Ephesians 1:5-7 NKJV
Now we are worthy through Him!
I love that phrase, “accepted in the Beloved.” Once we are His, then we are worthy through Him. Then our identity is associated with Him; and we are beloved children of God, chosen and holy (which means set apart).
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
2 Peter 1:9 NLT
Now that is a self-image I can wholly support.
This is day seven of my series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life,” examining a life free from the clutter of both wrong thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and too-full calendars, as well as physical clutter. You can click here to see all the links to the series.
I’m joining a host of writers participating in a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. My life being what it is, I’m starting 3 days behind, but writing 28 days does not have to be defined by the month of February. I’m simply promising to write for 28 days. If life interrupts, as it often does, I may have to skip a day here and there. The goal is to write 28 times on my subject, “A Rich and Satisfying Life,” consecutively … or not!
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
I will be sharing this post at Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday
Very thought provoking. I agree with you. A lot of modern sayings are just not accurate. Another one is “do whatever makes you happy…” This can be dangerous. Thx so much for challenging the usual accepted norm.
Thanks for your input, Jan. I want to be so careful to not add anything to scripture (or take away, either). It is perfect and complete the way it is!
Jerri, this image 2 Peter 1:9 is indeed such a blessed image, special, chosen, holy and beloved how special for us. Blessings.
Thank you, Paula. I had fun coming up with the graphic to go with the scripture.
Glad you dropped by!
This is an important reminder, Jerralea! I was talking about this with my mom the other day: with the focus of my blog, it would be easy to slip into the worldly you’re-great-just-the-way-are and just-be-you bandwagons. I try to always say IN CHRIST you are worthy and enough and whole. Wonderful reminder to remain faithful to the true message of the gospel: we are all sinners, but Christ died for us.
Ashley, my aim and goal is to explain things in today’s culture without losing the original meaning. I am enough in Christ, but on my own, Girl! I need help!
We need to remember who we were before we became “in Christ.” When we lose sight of that we can become prideful and arrogant. As we remember, our hearts humbly embrace all Christ has done for us through His completed work on the Cross. I appreciated your thoughts today!
Thanks, Joanne, for adding to the conversation.It is so important to remember that without the grace of God, where would we be?
Sorry to leave another comment. But your post brought this song to mind and I had to pause to listen to it myself.
May it bless you, Jerralea!
https://youtu.be/OIahc83Kvp4
Joanne! Thank you so much for sending this link. I had not heard this song before, but now I’ve listened to it 4 times. It is so beautiful!
praise God we are worthy because of Jesus! how blessed to call Him Savior! how blessed to find our identity and worth in Him!