Were people a bad investment for God? The answer seems obvious to a Christian–“well, of course not”–because the Christian knows that God does not act without purpose, and he accomplishes exactly what he aims to do (Isaiah 55:11)… always.
However, knowing people, the human condition, seeing our personal failures and flaws, and seeing what the Bible says about humanity makes one wonder how an unfailing and purposeful God could have bought something that has no value in itself. For instance, the Bible refers to our righteous deeds as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). What would you tell someone who paid the highest possible price for a heap of filthy rags?
Another way of asking this question would be simply: Were people worth it? If so, why? Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the contemporary, mainstream church has heard that God died for sinners because he considers people to be of some worth, and that we should stand amazed by the fact that God considers us worth a great deal, even to the point of death on a cross–but does he? Is that why Jesus bore the Cross, because we were worth it? I don’t think so.
The price Christ paid on the Cross is not a reflection of God’s appraisal of my worth, it is a reflection of God’s appraisal of his own glory. My worth was bought for me at the price of the Cross. Therefore, the Cross cannot merely be seen as God’s reaction to the way he values me, but instead, the Cross needs to be seen as the means by which I am able to be valued by a perfect and holy God, who is eternally satisfied in himself.
Unfortunately, some may read this and dub me a self-hating, cynical person who would rather beat people down than build them up. But the fact is, this truth should do the opposite. I believe that this way of thinking actually gives Christians greater confidence, steadier assurance, and more joy than the seemingly empowering statement that says, “God died for you because you were worth it.”
We can have greater confidence in our worth because it is not found in ourselves.
If we are being honest, most of us enjoy hearing about the worth we possess precisely because we know it’s not there. Reality is constantly nagging us with the truth, with our failures, and with the poor state of our hearts, saying, “you are not worthy.” However, when we can answer that belittling truth with the righteousness of Christ, which has been imputed (or given) to us, we show worth beyond measure, and without fault!
The reason for our assurance being steadier is mostly the same. If we truly meditate on the idea of God loving us–to the point of dying for us–based on our worth, we will find it impossible to find anything of worth in ourselves. The only worth we will ever find is the righteousness of Christ.
If you want assurance of God’s love for you, don’t try to place yourself as the reason, but instead, look to God’s glory. His glory was shown when he loved sinners by dying on the Cross for you, and his glory does not fail like you do. Be comforted.
We have more joy because God’s glory is more joyful than ours. Think about that. Our glory is disappointing. Our glory is not real. God’s glory is very real. God’s glory is the very thing that we will spend eternity celebrating. When all the saints are joined together in heaven, we will not be pleased to pat ourselves on the back, because we will know an even greater joy–the greatest joy of all–sitting in the glory of God, and ceaselessly singing his praises.
He alone is worthy.
3 Comments on "He Alone Is Worthy"
AMEN!
“We can have greater confidence in our worth because it is not found in ourselves.”
That. is. awesome.
That was a blessing to read!