The Standard August 15, 2026
In our relationship with God there is an astonishing duality. This is the fact that, being created in God’s image, we humans intrinsically have higher value than all other living beings, yet are utterly unworthy of the divine. Our worth is incalculable. On the other hand, it does not take much sincere self-reflection to realize our unworthiness. We tend to underestimate our penchant for self-promotion, favor, envy, greed, and gluttony, thus minimizing our need for God.
The Apostle Paul weaves together several portions of the Psalms in reiterating our shared fallen human nature. “For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’” “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3;9b-12, 22-24
In perfect love, Christ did for us what we could not do for ourselves. The Apostle John on the island of Patmos describes his vision. “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.” “He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’” Revelation 5:1-6a, 7-10
In the worship song, “My Worth Is Not in What I Own,” Kristyn and Keith Getty and Graham Kendrick sum this up beautifully. “I will not boast in wealth or might, or human wisdom’s fleeting light. But I will boast in knowing Christ, at the cross. I rejoice in my Redeemer, greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul. I will trust in Him, no other; my soul is satisfied in Him alone. Two wonders here that I confess, my worth and my unworthiness. My value fixed, my ransom paid, at the cross.”
celiastone 