Are We Worthy?

I went into this blog post because I wanted to share with women how worthy they are.  Often times I feel we undervalue ourselves as girls and women.  But when diving in, I’m wondering if “worthy” is the wrong descriptor.  Does the bible ever say we are worthy?  I’m not sure it does.  I know it says we are valuable, known, loved, chosen and treasured, but worthy?

What are we worthy of?

Worthy means having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way. Do we in and of ourselves have the qualities that merit recognition in a godly sense?

In fact the Bible often will make examples of people in the bible who declare their unworthiness.  John the Baptist declares he is not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.  The Centurion confesses he is unworthy of the Lord’s presence to heal his servant.  They are praised for their humble confessions of unworthiness.

“He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:27

“But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” – Matthew 8:8

When the bible does talk about someone who is worthy, it’s the lamb.  The lamb who is worthy or God who is worthy of our praise. We are never worthy, but we are to live a life worthy of his calling or a life worthy of the gospel.

I’m reminded of the idea that we are not enough.  We are made enough by what Christ did on the cross.

If you revisit the definition, only the Trinity is worthy.  They have the qualities that merit the heavenly glory, power and praise. We are unworthy to be in their presence as the Centurion teaches us but as Christians all we can do is humble our hearts and try.  Try to live a life like Christ who is worthy.  Try to walk in a manner worthy of the calling He has placed on our life.   Try to live a life that is commendable, full of truth, honor, just, purity, and full of love. 

Verses with Worthy

"So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God". – Colossians 1:10

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” – Ephesians 4:11

“But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,” – Luke 20:35 (context – lived a life considered worthy)

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” – Philippians 1:27

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

“The Lord is great and worthy of our praise; no one can understand how great he is". – Psalm 145:3

“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” – Psalm 18:3 and 2 Samuel 22:4

"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". – Revelations 4:11

Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” – Revelations 5:12

Who we are.

chosen: - “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” – Ephesians 1:4

valuable: - “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:31

known: - For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

loved: - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

treasured: - “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” – Deuteronomy 7:6

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What it means to Seek His Kingdom First

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well..” - Matthew 6:33

Our verse concludes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount message about moral living and the unexpected ways of the Kingdom. He is speaking to his disciples and the large crowd that has begun to follow him. Jesus speaks to many things like the law, truth, giving, prayer, loving our enemies, and in our passage he is speaking about worry and anxiety. He references the flowers and the birds, does He not clothe and feed them? Does he not care for them? Have faith and trust. Are you not greater than the birds and flowers?

Many times the troubles of this world take over and distract us. Or our desires of earthly people, objects, or goals take priority. Jesus is telling us to not worry about these earthly things but to seek His kingdom first.

Seek is a strong action verb. It is to desire God above all else in our life. To submit our whole being to God. To make his will our greatest priority. To focus on life giving things that last into eternity. Jesus is asking us to set our thoughts, desires, and character on Him. To seek after where God is alive and active and join him there.

And when we seek after his kingdom and righteousness, all these things, the things like clothing and food, our basic necessities and provisions, will be given to us as well. We need not worry but to seek.

Our prayer as you wear this tee is to be reminded to seek after God above all and before all. He is the only “thing” worth truly seeking.

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What it means to Enter The Narrow Gate

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” - Matthew 7:13

You have the decision between two ways in life and one of two destinations in which you want to go. Heaven or Hell.

If you are in the broad, easy path. It will likely lead to destruction, your destination - Hell. But narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to eternal life with Christ.

There is only one way into Heaven and that is by believing in Jesus. Believing that he is the I Am. The Son of Man. The Messiah. We don’t enter heaven’s gates by being a good person or by giving of our time and money. We enter by believing. By putting down our own desires and taking up our cross and His desire for our life. By putting our faith and trust not in our abilities but in Him and his provisions. We acknowledge that we will never be enough and will always fall short but because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are made enough. We are made right.

The world’s ways look shiny and fun. They are the wide gate but they end up leading to emptiness. A full life is filled with turns, mountains to overcome, valleys to dredge through and wildernesses to persevere in. But it is the road that refines and shapes us to be more like Him, standing before Him.

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What it means to Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

Quick context for Micah 6:8. Micah is picturing an imaginative court room. Israel is on trial before the Lord. God is bringing His case or complaint against His people, Israel. God asks them, “What have I done to you? “ I have done nothing but good for Israel (He shares examples) and I have been repaid with rejection and rebellion. And in this imaginative courtroom the Israelites call out “What do you want from me? We sacrifice like crazy and bring our precious offerings before you!”

Then we come to our verse in Micah 6:8… oh no, oh Israel, you have it all wrong. I have shown you want is good and required. It is not your deeds, your works, or your offerings. It is not complicated but actually quite simple. It is this: Justice, Mercy, and Humility.

• Do justly: act fair in what you do. Be fair in your dealings with people. Treat others as you would want to be treated

• Love mercy: Love to show mercy to those who wrong you. Give others the same measure of mercy and grace you have received from the Father.

• Walk humbly: Learn humility. Remember who I am – your God. If you keep that in mind, you will walk humbly with me.

Israel responded to God’s request trying to appease Him with sacrifices and offering. But sacrifices and other religious rituals aren’t enough. God wants more than just works. He wants changed lives. He wants His people to be fair, just, merciful and humble. God wants us to become living sacrifices not just religious deeds. He wants transformed hearts full of love for Him and His people.

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What it means to Rise Up as a Christian

“Arise, (rise up) Jerusalem. Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.”

Isaiah 59 describes a time of thick and desperate darkness for the Israelites. But, Isaiah 60 is about the future glory for Jerusalem - a future Kingdom. It’s the promise coming. It’s God’s redeeming message and rescue. He is calling the Israelites out of the darkness and to respond to His wondrous light. He not only is the light to the nation but he gives them this same light to reflect his glory.

In life we will have moments of darkness. But God in his perfect timing is in control weaving his perfect story. We will be called into the light and asked to Rise Up. Will we?

Be Reminded as we wear this sweatshirt that God gives us a call to action. He asks us to reflect his glory that he has placed within us and be a beacon to the nations. We are to shine his light wherever we go and dispel the darkness and chaos that controls this world. He is the only one who can bring true glory.

Rise up and shine for all to see his goodness.

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