Today, I want to talk about the concept of worthiness and how it shapes our lives and our relationship with God. From a young age, many of us are conditioned to believe that our worth is tied to our performance, whether in academics, sports, or social interactions. This belief often leads to a compulsive need to be liked and accepted by others, as I experienced growing up as a class clown and later in my youth ministry career. However, this mindset can be damaging, as it creates a false narrative that we must earn love and acceptance.
The truth is, you are inherently worthy of love and acceptance from others. You don't need to perform or meet certain standards to be loved. This worthiness is not based on your achievements but on your inherent value as a person. However, when it comes to our relationship with God, the situation is paradoxical. We are inherently unworthy of God's acceptance due to our sinful nature, a concept known as original sin. Our best efforts and righteous acts are like filthy rags before God.
Yet, despite our unworthiness, God loves us unconditionally. This love is demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners. His blood covers our sins, making us worthy of eternal life with God. This is not something we can earn; it is a gift of grace. The story of the Exodus and the Passover lamb illustrates this beautifully. The Israelites were spared not because of their worthiness but because of the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.
In the same way, we are made worthy by the blood of Jesus. This is a profound truth that should liberate us from the need to perform for God's acceptance. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that we are loved and accepted just as we are. This understanding should transform our lives, freeing us from the compulsion to earn love and allowing us to live in the freedom of God's grace.
