This is Part One of a three part series. This question is an important one, perhaps the most important question. How each of us answers this question affects not only ourselves, but all those whose lives we touch, our churches, our society and yes, the world.
Are we worthy? Do we have inherent dignity and worth? Are we worthy of God and God’s love and blessing? Are we worthy of being one with God and one with each other?
As a young child growing up I remember my Dad teaching me that all people are basically good. They sometimes go wrong and do bad things, but we are all created good and start out that way. Then the first weekend in my diaconate training program was a self-esteem workshop. Even though it was 33 years ago, I remember very clearly the lessons taught in that workshop: people are not their actions; their actions can be bad, but they are not bad. So you never tell a young child “you’re a bad boy” or “you’re a bad girl”. You tell them what they did was bad, not that they are bad. In other words, you condemn the sin, not the sinner. I believe the Scriptures reinforce and support the lessons I have learned.
Let’s start at the beginning – Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 and 27 states that we, males and females, were created in the image and likeness of God. In the creation story after God created humans it says that God looked at all that had been created and found it verygood. Now let’s move to Psalm 8, especially verses 5 to 7. There it says that God cares for humans and has made them little less than gods (angels). This is how God sees us.
Moving to the New Testament we find additional examples of how God sees us
and how Jesus sees us. Luke 12, 22-32 talks about God loving and caring more for us than all other creation and that God is pleased to give us the kingdom. The parable of the lost son in Luke 15, 11-32 shows the father (God) just loving the son being there. There’s no recrimination, no put down, no punishment, just loving and celebrating the life and presence of the son.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, . . .you are the light of the world” in
Matthew 5, 13 &14. Those are very significant compliments. In Matthew 6, 25-30 it says again we are more important than all other creation. Jesus indicates that we are one with him and God in Matthew 10 verse 40. Matthew 25 verses 40 and 45 have Christ (God) equating himself with the least of humans. That is least in human’s eyes. And in John 3, 16-17 we see that God loves the world and does not condemn the world, but gives himself to the world. These passages indicate we are a significant part of creation and one with God.
Jesus saw women as having great dignity and worth. See his encounter with the woman at the well in John 4, 4-26. Look at how he treated the woman caught in adultery in John 8, 1-11. Then again in John 14, 20 and 17, 20-23 we see that Jesus is saying that we are one with God.
I think these Scripture passages present a clear answer to the question, “Are We Worthy?” They show how God sees us and what Jesus was teaching us. There are probably additional passages that would show this also.
Here’s the list of the above referenced Scripture passages:
Genesis 1, 26-27 John 3, 16-17 Psalm 8, 5-7 John 4, 4-26 Luke 12, 22-32 John 8, 1-11 Luke 15, 11-32 John 14, 20 Matthew 5, 13-14 John 17, 20-23 Matthew 6, 25-30 Matthew 10, 40 Matthew 25, 40 & 45So if we believe the Scriptures, to what conclusion do these passages lead us? Read the passages cited above, consider what you have been taught, and see what you think. Then if you care to, let me know what you think. I welcome any comments or feedback that you would like to give me. Contact me @ terrymcc1@yahoo.com.
Peace and Blessings, Terry McCauley
