There's been something rolling around inside me for a little bit. We visited a new to us church about three weeks ago and something that the pastor said, just didn't connect with me because it was opposite of what God has to say. He said that we are not worthy, we are not holy, and we are undeserving. The undeserving part is probably true, but I don't think that is the mindset that God has regarding us. I am not criticizing the pastor at all, but I have to say that it does make me sad to think that people might believe that God finds us completely unworthy and completely unholy. I think too, that the mindset of "look at me, I'm such a snake in the grass, so unworthy of God's love, I could never be a holy person," has been a church thing for a very long time. Maybe we think it makes us humble? But, is it correct? Does God really see us as unworthy snakes in the grass that are just unholy messes?
Let's think about this real quick. I find God to be exceedingly logical (that's the analytical me 😄).
1. Why would He have created us to start with if He really didn't want to mess with our human imperfections? Rest assured that He knew what He was getting into at the get go, even before Adam was created. He was still willing to go ahead and create the human race. That is pretty awe inspiring in itself. That says a lot about God right there. Just think of the patience it requires to be God. Seriously, just take a minute to think about that. God has some serious skills too (!), not just patience.
2. He obviously believes that we are worthy, because really, why would He send His son Jesus to share His heart with us, send Jesus to die a horrifying death on our behalf if He didn't consider us worth it? Why would Jesus have agreed to do it if He didn't think we were worth it? There He was in heaven being Jesus and He volunteered to come here and become a human so that He could experience and identify with the human experience. You have to place some great big value and worth on something to die for it... just sayin'.
With that said...
I'm not going to quote the entire chapter, but I do encourage you to read it and let it really sink into your spirit. It's really good reading. Bold, underlining, and italics will be mine. I will probably add comments in parenthesis in blue too.
Ephesians Chapter One:
Eph 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (there's that word pertaining to us- HOLY - and blameless to boot!)
Eph 1:5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— (In other words, He was happy to do it)
Eph 1:6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Eph 1:8 that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
Eph 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, (again, He was happy to do it for us)
Eph 1:11 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, (See? I told you He knew what He was getting into, but better than that, He chose us, predestined us, already planned for us to be born before He even created the world- see verse 1 again.)
And if that isn't enough:
Colossians 1:22-23 But now (present tense) He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Hebrews 10:8 First He (Jesus talking here to the Father) said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor were You pleased with them"—though they were offered in accordance with the law.
Hebrews 10:9 Then He said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. (I LOVE this in Hebrews! Can you believe that Jesus actually volunteered to do this?!) (Sets aside the first to establish the second is setting aside the old covenant to establish the second/new covenant.)
Heb 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (there is yet again- we have been made holy through the sacrifice that Jesus made)
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
I'm pretty sure that we have established at this point that God sees us as His holy ones. So, while you're going through your day, remind yourself that God thinks of you as holy. He is not thinking of you as a snake in the grass. He deemed you worthy enough to send Jesus to die for you. Jesus deemed you worthy enough to volunteer to die for you! It's all about the grace 💖
Here is my prayer for all of us today:
Ephesians 1:17-19 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
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