Worthy in our Unworthiness

At the end of October I was blessed to speak at and be on a panel for the "Stand 4 Truth" conference.  At this conference were leaders from across the nation representing every walk of life, all rallying together for the cause of protecting marriage.  My life will forever be changed because of this one day event.  I can't stop thinking about one of the things that transpired there that really caused me to ponder a great deal.  

Although we were like minded in the cause for which we were gathered, some of us had doctrines that differed from one another drastically,  Though all there labeled themselves as Christian, one group in particular that I was able to talk with and listen to repeatedly spoke of being "worthy".  They had to be "worthy" to go to certain temple dedications, be baptized, live eternally, serve in ministry of any kind, etc.  The leaders even go so far as holding regular "worthiness interviews" with the members.  I was told that according to their belief that Satan tried to convince Jesus to just let everyone into heaven after He died on Calvary, but that Jesus said , "No", because we had to prove ourselves worthy.  If I understood correctly what I was told, our sojourn on earth is to prove we are worthy of Calvary.

Honestly, I walked away pretty saddened.  What a bondage to performance.  (Don't get me wrong,I have plenty of areas of bondage in my own mind I'm trying to break as well). But this made me really ponder what I believe.  I came up with this: I am unworthy in my own worthiness; yet He has made me worthy in my unworthiness.  Calvary covered that for us, my friends.  The cross wasn't so I could prove my worthiness ~ it was Jesus saying He knows I'm unworthy, yet He wanted to make me worthy (Thank You, Lord)!  After all, how worthy is worthy enough to pay for such a sacrifice from our Lord?  How long is long enough to "not sin" to be worthy?  

No matter how many times we fall, if we stay in Christ, we are worthy ~ because of Calvary.  Our sin is cleansed the moment we ask forgiveness ~ whether it's the 1st time or the 5,000th time.  Be encouraged, though our sins be as scarlet, He makes us whiter than snow.  Our foolishness doesn't disqualify us from anything ~ handing it to Jesus is what qualifies us.    

  Titus 3:5-7 New International Version (NIV)"5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."