Worthy or Unworthy?

A question has come up this last week on our blog. I myself understand the answer to this question, but I will attempt to fully explain the answer in detail (by using scripture, people's opinions, and a ministry's thoughts). I first want to mention that his post is completly out of love and is in no means trying to hurt or to be arrogant. I am only trying to give the truth, to how the Bible puts it.

The above YouTube movie is from Living Waters. I highly respect their beliefs and they are true examples of modern day Christian evangelists. I asked Living Waters a question like this: "Are we worthy to have Jesus die for us?" They repeated and answered my question around the 19:00 minute mark. Please either watch the entire clip, or skip ahead to view their opinions/answers to the question.

(Note: The e-mail I wrote was a little bit wrong. The blog post Tony was referring to is not bad or incorrect. The link provided at the end of this post can be viewed for a further accurate description of what the post meant.)

The below few pictures, hopefully you can read them, are from Facebook. I asked the same question I asked on Living Waters and I got several replies from some of my Facebook friends. Each color represents a different person (if a color is place more than once, it is the same person.)

The below comments are from the post (the link is below this post) that started this whole conversation.

Someone commented the above text on one of the blog posts.

These two "clips" are what I wrote in response. To get a clearer example of the comments that were exchange, view the below link to the previous post.

>These two are connnected<

This is what another one of the authors for Dedicated Christians wrote in response.

As the above comments state, we are not worthy of having Jesus die for us. That is what makes His death so amazing and wonderful! Jesus died on the cross because we were (and still ARE) ungodly, and sinners. (Romans 5:1-8)

Someone on the Facebook comment replied Ephesians 2:8 which says: " For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Another verse that I thought was good, other than Romans 5:1-8, was Mark 2:17. "When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentence."

Sinners...are unworthy.

I looked the actual definition of unworthy in the Noah Webster Dictionary. It said: "Unworthy - Not deserving; followed by of. As sinner, we are utterly unworhy of the divine favor. 2. Not deserving; wanting merit. 3. Unbecoming; vile; base. 4. Not suitable; inadequate."

Thus, as you can see, the definition of Unworthy is clearly an example of someone who is a sinner, not deserving of forgiveness...but Jesus did it anyway! That's what makes the death of Jesus so amazing.

Overall, Jesus came onto this earth, not to save those who are worthy, but those who are unworthy. There is not one of us on this earth who is perfect compared to God. Jesus said so Himself, Why do you call Me good? No one is good, but One, that is, God." Jesus came down on this earth to save us from our unworthiness and to give us a chance to turn to Him instead of sin. If we were worthy for Him to die for us, then the whole gospel wouldn't make sense and we should all be able to just go to heaven without turning our lives over to Christ. He showed us Mercy.

Thank you for reading my little (well...maybe it's a little long....) blog post. But I thought I would share with you what I have been thinking about over the past week.

God bless,
Josiah

With comments, questions, or concerns e-mail us at www.dedicatedchristian

View the original blog post (written by Matthew) that started this whole conversation.

http://dedicatedchristians.blogspot.com/2012/03/flaw-in-christian-contemporary-music.html

OLD - is it bad?

 ²That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

 ³The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

 ⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

 ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 ⁶Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

 ⁷In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: 

Titus 2: 2-7

The Bible tells us to look up to older people. It tells the older men to teach the younger men, and the older women to teach the younger women. We're meant to be able to learn from them, from their experience and wisdom.

I don't know how this sits in other parts of the world, but I don't see it happening where I live.

I have a theory that young people are scared of the elderly. I don't know if its that they are afraid of breaking them, or maybe think that all are out of their minds and so its no point talking to them.

Whichever is the case, I can assure you all that it is not true.

Yeah, some old people do lose their memory or sanity and so are not really wells of knowledge anymore. This is not the majority however. There are many perfectly sane, and very knowledgeable people out there who could teach us a thing or two.

As a student nurse, I had to complete several weeks placement in a nursing home. I met many (no exaggeration) elderly who were on top of things. In the day to day of working with them they taught me a thing or two about what they know and enjoy. There was a sign in the hospital section of that home. It had a picture of a nurse standing over a stooped, wrinkly, little lady. The lady is saying, "I have lived through two world wars, a depression and a famine, and raised a family of 6. How dare you tell me when I have to go to bed now." This is typically thought about from a nursing ethics point of view, which I am studying about, but I shall spare you that. Rather, I think that it applies to the Christian viewpoint of such matters.

God has kept these people through wars and famine and trial and tribulation, as well as good times and prosperity. How can we just ignore them as a financial burden and try to find our own way? These people can be of great use to us, if we just see and use them.

On the other side of the glass is also another matter. Namely, we are commanded to visit the widow(er) and the orphan. This is our duty. It is important for the reason talked about above, but also, these people LOVE any visits they get. They have very isolated and lonely lives. If its as simple as popping in for five minutes then why don't we?
Make it your challenge: go to these people and ask them questions. LEARN

Lalie
www.dedicatedchristians.blogspot.com

It's needs to be God

Hello,
Have you ever heard a song that was cool, but didn't really mean that much to you at that time? Have you ever hear that song again, in a different time in your life, and it seems to totally change it? That has just happened to me! I have been very frustrated lately about my inability to be "good" at sharing the gospel with people for three reasons. First of all, I am a fifteen year old girl! its not like I can (or should) go out and witness to the homeless man on the street corner. Number two, when ever I get the chance, it seems like I get flustered and do a bad job. And number three, I am afraid that that person will think that Christians are all "weird" like me and be closed minded about it all. So I usually just skip it, and hope that someone who is better at it will get the chance! But recently I feel like God has been teaching me to "get out of my comfort zone", and do the right thing, whether it is "good" or "comfortable" or "easy". Which is, as you can probably tell, really stretching for me! Now, here is the story I have to tell...

...The other day, I was given an opportunity to talk to a girl about what I believe, who Christ is in me, and how He has changed my life. She was full of questions, some of which I couldn't answer! It was really a challenge for me. I mean, I had trusted, and obeyed God! Why didn't He help answer her (and my) questions? I felt like a fool! I started to pray and ask God for direction, wisdom, and the words to answer her questions. I asked several people that I trusted how they would answer her! I was very blessed to be given so much help (especially one person) to answer the questions, and clear up my mind. Sometimes, you just need to hear the truth, even if you already "know" it. But I still had the excuse that I didn't have the "confidence" and "resolve" to talk to her ( what a LAME excuse, I was almost to embarrassed to tell you guys)! But God gave me grace, and a song. ;D

For me, as you can see, it was my pride that needed to be changed. I needed my mindset of "I can't do this" to " God can, and is doing this THROUGH me". But I realized it is not me, its HIM, and ONLY HIM that can truly answer, forgive, and live in her.
Thank you for reading, and God bless,
Gracie

"Only After You"

I just recently heard this song and from the beginning of the song I was quite disappointed in this song. But I was quite surprised after I took a look at the band's website and read this in their biography.

"'It is our desire to be a band of servants, humbly offering our gifts and talents to reach this world for Christ. We know we're just a bunch of normal guys, living each day in the grip of God's grace,' says front man Josiah Warneking."

But this song sounds like a popular pop love song. The Lord, the Cross, Jesus Christ, grace, etc. are not mentioned in this song at all. "I wanna fall in love... and I'm ready to give up on every other love." Turning Jesus Christ, the God we should FEAR, into a boyfriend/girlfriend is destroying our view of Him and His nature. "In Your every whisper, I hear Your heart." This sadly reminds me of a popular country song I know.

Contemporary Christian music has been going off track. One of the things they are leaning towards is "cross-over" songs, songs that can easily be sold as Christian songs or secular pop songs. Are these songs meant to bring in people to the music, in hopes to convert them? Or, on the other hand, are these songs supposed to encourage believers in the Lord? I think they are accomplishing neither.

I want to present an idea on which I would like you to ponder.

Is music what we are supposed to use to bring people to Christ? Or are we supposed to be witnessing to them and telling them about the Lord Jesus and His death on the Cross? If someone was telling you where a fabulous treasure is, would you like them to sing to you (sometimes vaguely) in the hopes you will find your way, or would you like them to present the truth to you so that you know how to find the treasure without a shadow of a doubt?

Matthew

Grace For Us "Good" Kids

The world get's this idea that kids who grow up in a strong Christian home receive no wounds, no scars, and have no pain. And just because they don’t have any horribly outstanding sins, they must be perfect and happy. That is completely false. All you have to do is live in this world to sin and probably get some baggage along with it, that is just a part of life. Some people’s baggage is just more visible than others. And if people can't see your baggage they call you a "good kid".

“Good” kids have a good reputation, they are the first to volunteer for charity, they are the ones that try to be righteous enough to be a Christian. They play this sort of masquerade with themselves and other people, covering up sin so no body sees it and pain so no body thinks they are weak, because this would wreck their "good" lie. They look smooth, like they have it all together, but inside they are bitter, wounded and dirty. Is this ringing a bell for you? I know it did for me. Sure, Jesus saves, and Jesus heals, but you have to be good or you won't ever get those gifts. That is the mindset of most good Christian boys and girls.


It’s hard keeping up those smiling faces and good works, but the worst part about it is that when people act this way, they are rejecting God’s grace. They are being self righteous, somehow thinking that their good appearance is getting on God's good side so He will save them.

God wants to save and heal everyone. We all need saving, in God’s eyes your sin is equal to the convicted criminal sitting in jail right now. And in God’s eyes your pain is as real as a child's from a broken home. No matter how “good” of a life you have led, you need God’s grace. And that means you stop relying on your “good” reputation, works, and attitude to save you, because our works are like filthy rags to Christ. It also means you don’t hide your scars from God because you think they are unimportant and try to do it all on your own. Because you can't. And that is so amazing. You don't have the pressure to be perfect because God knows that you aren't, and that is why we have the Cross.

Accepting His grace means trusting Him to save you from your goodness.

Everyone needs grace, everyone needs healing, and God will give it to you, if you let Him.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

From a recovering good kid,

Victoria

P.S. If you're interested in reading more on this topic, I would recommend the book "Grace for the Good Girl" by Emily P. Freeman, it's primarily for ladies, but the concept applies to everyone. It was a life changing book for me.

~ Weekly Proverb ~

About everyday, my family and I read one chapter of Proverbs. Proverbs is a great book to find a small amount of wisdom needed to begin the day. There are exactly 31 chapters in Proverbs, covering tons of information that everyone goes through all everyday. They are awesome verses, and I would like to share with you a Weekly Proverb that meant the most to me.

Proverbs 24:1-2

1 Do not be envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them;

2 For their hearts devises violence,

And their lips talk of troublemaking.

I used to work at a little Pizza restaurant, and I wanted to be a lot like the people that worked there. I acted like them, and I talked like them, and I tried to be like them because I thought they were "cool." However, as time went by, each one of them either got fired by doing something stupid, or they quit their jobs in anger and in rebellion.

Do I want to be like that??? No! I do not want to be envious of evil men, nor do I want to desire to be like them. They talk of drugs and of not of the fruits of the Spirit, rather they talk of the sins of the flesh. I do not want to be like them, and nethier should you.

Do you have someone you look up to, and who you want to be like who isn't a Godly person? Or who doesn't give wisdom to others, but teaches evil and lives it? Maybe it's time for you to turn away from them, as I did my "evil" role models. Do not let other influence your life if they sin and speak evil.

Hope you all enjoyed the first Weekly Proverb, let me know what you think

A Flaw in Christian Contemporary Music

(If you want to see the music video for this song here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF5CjtrIl_c )

I was listening to Todd Friel (I do not recommend everything by him, so please use discretion) recently and he played this song, claiming it to be the "worstest" (Yes, that is what he said) song out there today. He told us about the music video, which I've attached a link to above, so I later went back and listened to it again with the video. I know I say that Christian songs have to mention the cross, Jesus, God, or something to be considered as songs I would recommend.

This mentioned all of them but yet has a horrible message. The message is a failure that I think could mislead someone in the fundamentals of Salvation.

The message of this song is that you are someone special and YOU ARE WORTH DYING FOR! That is a horrible lie. The Bible clearly states that we are hell deserving, rotten sinners that deserve eternal punishment. It clearly states that Jesus Christ came down to this earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for us... but we DID NOT deserve it! He did it because He loved us! "For God SO LOVED the world." Not, "For God thought we were people that were worth dying for so he decided to come... save the cool guys."

More and more CCM music is an abomination to the Lord and the Christian faith, and we should rid ourselves of all but the best music with good and true messages.

Matthew

Trust in the Lord

  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding - Proverbs 3:5

STOP!

Read it again, s-l-o-w-l-y, absorb it’s meaning.

Most of us have memorized that verse and probably heard a Sunday school sermon on it, it desensitizes us to what the words actually mean. Let’s pick it apart shall we?

“Trust in the Lord”, Ok, that doesn’t seem to hard, yeah I trust Jesus….mostly. Trust isn’t a thing that comes and goes. It is rock solid. Think of the chair your probably sitting on. You sat down on it trusting it would hold you up. We need to trust God like that, to let go of whatever we are holding on to and trust that God won’t let you hit the rocks.  He won’t, He gives you His word (too many verses to list here, just check out Psalms, it’s full of promises like that).

“With all you heart”. God doesn’t want a piece of you heart, He wants all of it. You can’t trust God in one area and not trust Him in another. It’s all or nothing.

“Lean not on your own understanding” , this is hard for us brainiacs. Those of us who put a lot of stock in our own opinions and knowledge because, by the world’s standards, we are very smart. Well, it turns out that compared to God’s wisdom, our wealth of knowledge is about as vast as a single snowflake in the North Pole. That’s hard to swallow, but there’s no place for our ego in an intimate relationship with God.

We need to trust God, with our whole heart, or we’ll end up putting our trust in something else. Something that can be as fragile and passing as a winter snowflake.