My grandmother must have had strong feelings of
inferiority because she constantly told her children and grandchildren that we
were just as good as anyone else, even better. With this evaluation drummed
into our heads, no wonder our family had a reputation: “Those . . . think they
are better than we are.”
This is a tough attitude to shake. Pride is a common human
denominator. However, I realize that thinking
about my value is not anything like proving it. Saying I am smart or wise or good
or kind — and acting like it are almost opposites!
This principle is biblical too. That is, God is not
interested in people merely saying they believe in Jesus Christ if their lives
do not show it. That is, salvation is certainly a declaration:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9–10)
But it is more than
a declaration; it is also proven by action:
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14–17)
Paul wrote a second
letter to the church in Thessalonica. In his first letter, he commended their
faith and their love for one another and told them to continue. In this second
letter, he was thankful to God that they were doing just that . . .
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— (2 Thessalonians 1:3–5)
Paul even boasted
about them, adding that this showed they were worthy of the kingdom of God. That is, their lives proved their
faith and made them worthy to name the name of Jesus. They were not mere talkers.
Their profession of faith was proven valid because they were acting like
Christians are supposed to act.
Of course I want
this to be the same for me. I want my profession of faith verified by my
actions, yet I realize this connection is not about me. Paul added the
following, perhaps to keep his readers centered on the source of their
worthiness. It was about their lives, but they could not take any credit for
what they were doing. Paul referred to the return of Jesus Christ and said . .
.
. . . when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:10–12)
It is God who makes His people worthy of being called
Christians. We cannot pat ourselves on the back. We can only marvel that He has
transformed our lives.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, I know my heart enough to realize what I would
be without You. With great joy, I gladly glorify You and Your great grace, love
and power. You granted the gift of faith, the wonder of salvation, and every
change made in my life. I’m so unworthy, yet in You, I am made worthy. What a
wonder You are!
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