Yesterday I heard a song refrain which repeated, "Lord of glory, make us worthy to possess your name." I read that artists and painters can be poor expositors, and on occasion Christian lyrics can fall into this category. The most melodic music and uplifting harmony, from a biblical view, is only as good as its adherence to sound doctrine. Whilst there is freedom in Christ and creativity in expression, it is good for all followers of Jesus to examine the words we hear and sing.
My ears perked up at the phrase, "make us worthy." Is this something God ever promises to do, to make us worthy of Him? In my study of scripture man is deemed worthy of many things - like punishment, discipline, and death. The fact God greatly values man does not mean there is intrinsic worthiness in us. If we in any way are worthy of God or to be a partaker of His glory by ourselves or efforts then our salvation is not of grace. We are saved by grace through faith, and therefore any assertion of our worthiness is dashed to pieces like a clay vessel. Like in the cult classic "Wayne's World" when Wayne and Garth bowed before Alice Cooper shouting "We're not worthy!" none of us are worthy to "hang out" with God based upon our own merit.
Having been born again through the Gospel and filled with the Spirit of God, we continue to reside in a sinful body of flesh. In our flesh we are no more worthy of God than ever before, yet in His grace God enables us to walk worthy of Him. We do not deserve God, and He deserves better than us. It is solely due to God's grace and mercy we are adopted as children and have fellowship with God. We are Christ's ambassadors to the world now divinely enabled to walk worthy of Him. John the Baptist was not worthy to loosen Christ's sandal strap, and no one was found but Christ in heaven or earth worthy to break the seals and open the scroll in Revelation 5. Jesus is the only One worthy of worship, honour, glory, and praise. It is only by His grace we are invited and able to enter in.
Paul wrote to believers in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." We are not worthy, but we should walk worthy of God who has called us by His grace - devoutly, justly, and blameless. It is fitting we like Paul would exhort, comfort, and charge others to also walk in a manner worthy of Christ's example. It is only through His indwelling Spirit we are made to walk worthy when we relinquish ourselves to be His possession.
My ears perked up at the phrase, "make us worthy." Is this something God ever promises to do, to make us worthy of Him? In my study of scripture man is deemed worthy of many things - like punishment, discipline, and death. The fact God greatly values man does not mean there is intrinsic worthiness in us. If we in any way are worthy of God or to be a partaker of His glory by ourselves or efforts then our salvation is not of grace. We are saved by grace through faith, and therefore any assertion of our worthiness is dashed to pieces like a clay vessel. Like in the cult classic "Wayne's World" when Wayne and Garth bowed before Alice Cooper shouting "We're not worthy!" none of us are worthy to "hang out" with God based upon our own merit.
Having been born again through the Gospel and filled with the Spirit of God, we continue to reside in a sinful body of flesh. In our flesh we are no more worthy of God than ever before, yet in His grace God enables us to walk worthy of Him. We do not deserve God, and He deserves better than us. It is solely due to God's grace and mercy we are adopted as children and have fellowship with God. We are Christ's ambassadors to the world now divinely enabled to walk worthy of Him. John the Baptist was not worthy to loosen Christ's sandal strap, and no one was found but Christ in heaven or earth worthy to break the seals and open the scroll in Revelation 5. Jesus is the only One worthy of worship, honour, glory, and praise. It is only by His grace we are invited and able to enter in.
Paul wrote to believers in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." We are not worthy, but we should walk worthy of God who has called us by His grace - devoutly, justly, and blameless. It is fitting we like Paul would exhort, comfort, and charge others to also walk in a manner worthy of Christ's example. It is only through His indwelling Spirit we are made to walk worthy when we relinquish ourselves to be His possession.
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