Overheard on a Christian radio station: “Do you feel unworthy of God’s love…?” the announcer asked in his sad, plaintive voice. “Do you feel you are not worthy of God’s love for you…?”, as though that is such a shame. That you need not feel that way and he’s going to tell you about someone who wants to help you get beyond that unworthy feeling.

But my mind says, “Do I feel unworthy of God’s love? Yes, absolutely. We should feel that way because we ARE unworthy.”

Thought: Where did we get the idea we shouldn’t feel unworthy of God’s love? And why are so many making it a spiritual malady which needs a cure?

When we get into the basement of our feelings, so low that we know we are unworthy of God’s great love and Jesus’ sacrifice for us—friend, that is just where we need to be to begin, and to maintain, a life journey with God. Or Jesus was joking about ‘Blessed are those who are poor in spirit’, those who are at the end of themselves. Those who finally “get it” that they are totally and absolutely lost and undone; those who’ve fallen and can’t get up. Those who know poverty of spirit and in their poverty and unworthiness cry out to the God of all mercies and grace. Which He pours out on those unworthies.

Too often I perceive in the words of Christians, like that Christian radio announcer, the subtle twist of truth, that says “gee, you shouldn’t feel unworthy; God loves you, you are special…”. It is true God loves us, enough to sacrifice all to redeem us. But not because we are special or worthy of His love.  In fact, the scriptures are clear: He loved us when we were the most unlovable, the most unworthy and undeserving of His love. He loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 3: 9-19, 23, 27; 5:6-8, 10)!

What some of those in the current Christian culture have done, I fear, is substitute our own self for God at the center of the universe. Again, falling for the lie of the enemy of God, the devil, the deceiver, that liar and father of all lies. Oh, he is good—at lying that is. Makes it sound just like truth. Fools a lot of people. Upstanding religious folk like the friends of Job.

Job’s friends, remember them? Great sounding arguments. Have you read them lately? Sometimes I go, so what’s wrong with what this guy just said? What’s wrong is that is just a degree off from center, the center being the truth of God.  God had a distinct opinion about that and made it clear in Job 42: 7 and 8… well, just read it for yourself.

“It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz… “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.””

These are, to me, some of the scariest words God says in scripture.

I believe Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, Job’s three friends, thought so too, because verse 9 says, “So Eliphaz… Bildad… and Zophar… went and did as the LORD told them; and the Lord accepted Job.” They were dead men walking and they knew it. I have no doubt they ran to Job. Job proved, in my eyes, his practical righteousness when he sincerely and earnestly interceded for his friends, men who had ripped him up one side and down the other, and that when he was at his lowest and most vulnerable. He forgave. He exhibited more of the nature of God at that point, to me, than all his other good works throughout his lifetime, and these were legion.

Here is a strong and powerful warning to us to be very careful what we speak as the words of God! I come to the Word as a learner, always (James 3:1,2).

Though God loves us and considered the cost of the redemption of the world something He was willing to pay (John 3:16), God has made it clear in His word that no one stands worthy before Him, that is, no one deserves His grace. Otherwise we would have something to boast about. Otherwise grace would not be grace, mercy would not be mercy.

Paul said as much in I Corinthians 1:23-31,   “…but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble: but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, SO THAT NO MAN MAY BOAST BEFORE GOD….so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.””(My emphases)

What “is written”, quoted in part above, is from Jeremiah 9: 23, “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”

No man can boast before God. God will not share His glory with another (Isa. 42:8). Grace is what it means, a gift, unmerited favor. Unmerited. Are we unworthy of God’s love? We do not deserve God’s love and favor; we will never deserve it. He loves us because he chooses to.

Therefore, there is no place for either the prideful or the one who considers himself so low God cannot possibly redeem him. We are all the same at the foot of the cross. The focus should never be on us, but on the great God of love, mercy and grace (Romans 5: 11; Ephesians 2:1-9; John  1:29).

In our unworthiness is the only way we can approach God (Micah 6:8; Mark 1:15). Then we can accept His mercy and grace. Then we can know His forgiveness. Then, and only then, can we begin to “walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called” (Ephesians 4:1ff; 5:1ff). We can’t be worthy, but we can live worthy.

So if you are one of those, or know someone, who feels unworthy of God’s love, rejoice! The journey with God, by faith, can begin there.

Then we can give glory where glory is due: to Jesus the Son and God the Father, Who alone are Worthy.

“”Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them (us included), I heard saying,

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

And the four living creatures kept saying “Amen.”

And the elders fell down and worshiped.” (Revelation 5:12-14; my added note)

And I say “Amen and Amen”, and worship His Worthiness too.

(All scripture references are from the NASB.)