Before coming to the Lord, most people were the center of their own universe. It’s a hard mindset to break, even after surrendering your life to Him. When we discover God is a Father who loves His children, there can be a tendency to be like an infant who wants to be first until he or she learns differently. As long as you center on you, you’ll never feel worthy. You’ll make you list of what a “good Christian” looks like, and then fail miserably trying to check off your list. Part of the problem for some is they haven’t actually learned that God is a good Father. It’s time to get focused on God, and deny yourself the right to feel unworthy! Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (NASB).
Getting back to God the Father. A difficult hurtle from some to get over is knowing, as the song says, “You’re a good, good Father, and I am loved by You” (Good Good Father, by Housefires). Especially, since that love is unconditional. Those who grew up in performance based households learned that love comes with being good. Before receiving affection, if any, they had to do something to get it. “You cleaned your room. That’s a good boy (girl),” They learned to equate behavior and action with worthiness. God so loved the world that He sent us Jesus (see John 3:16). He did not ask us to perform. Even the Law of Moses revealed that we couldn’t live up to such standards anyway.
To you parents, as a suggestion, when your child does something well, instead of saying “good boy” or “good girl,” tell him or her “good job!”
This way, he or she does not associate their performance to being “good.” They have to learn worthiness and goodness is not based on what they do. Ultimately, it’s based on Jesus, and what they do is the result of who they are in Him (see Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:24). At the same time, they discover that your love for them is unconditional, and they do not have to earn it. By all means, reward them for their efforts. God does that; however, He reveals His love to us without us earning it. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (NASB).
This may burst your proverbial bubble, but Jesus is the Center of the universe. The song of heaven is “Worthy is the Lamb.” His worthiness is the sole basis of your worthiness.
If you say you’re unworthy, you insult Jesus.
Your inadequacies are not greater than His Blood! Get over yourself. His grace is sufficient for you, and His strength is made perfect in your weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Some use their “unworthiness” to mask their pride, while others may actually take pride in it. Hence, they’re still making it about them. You are a child of God by the Father’s volition; not your performance (see John 1:12-13).
When you wake up to the fact your righteous in Jesus Christ, your behavior will change (see 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:10; 4:24). After all, as people think, so are they. You might say you repented, yet you feel unworthy. That statement is not consistent with repentance. Repentance is not a change of behavior. Repentance means to think differently; thus, behavior changes because of repentance. Once you actually believe your worthiness is because of Jesus, you will stop hanging onto unworthiness. Even after being saved, you may blow it. The Blood of Jesus is more than sufficient for that as well. Indeed, His Blood blotted out all sin: past, present and future. Think about it, you weren’t even alive when Jesus went to the Cross, yet forgiveness is still yours. Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain! Please remember also, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NASB). 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2. and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (NASB). In short, confess, repent and forsake; ask for and receive His forgiveness; learn from it, and move on!
The Perfect Faith Podcast
