Do You Feel Unworthy?

Meditate. Is anyone really “worthy” of eternal life?

The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. So the Lord's message spread throughout that region. Acts 13:44-49

Is anyone really “worthy” of eternal life? We can’t earn it…or work for it. Eternal life is a gift. It is a gift that the Jews—God’s own chosen people rejected.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Even though the Jews rejected God’s offer of eternal life…in Jesus as the Messiah…God did not permanently reject them. They are still His chosen people. The good part for the rest of the world is that God so love the world…the whole world…and all the people in it throughout all of time…that He still gave His Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Jesus as their Messiah, as God’s Son, will have eternal life. That includes Jews and Gentiles. So open your heart, confess your sin—because it is that for which Jesus died. He was sacrificed—like the lambs that were sacrificed by the Jews for a couple of thousand years as they tried to repent of their sins before Jesus came as their Messiah. Now, as Paul explained, salvation is offered to the Gentiles, too. We can be free from sin…just by asking. I’ve asked…and been forgiven. Have you? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, thank you for being the sacrificial lamb to take away our sins and for the forgiveness that You offer not only the Jews, but the Gentiles, too. I don’t feel worthy—You are an awesome God, but through that sacrifice of Your blood on the cross for my sins, I am now worthy. I rejoice with my fellow Christian believers. ….Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Verse of Salvation ~ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24

Think admirable, not unworthy

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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