In the final episode of her talk show in 2011, the influential Oprah Winfrey said to her audience that they see themselves as worthy. She repeated a phrase, mantra-like to them: ‘You are worthy’.
If you are on any mindfulness, relationship counselling, self-care websites, this is one of the most popular positive affirmations (or some other iterations of it) to use on yourself. Say it often enough, you may just feel confident, amazing, free of self-doubt and ready to conquer the world.
Was Oprah on to something? On the face of it, affirming someone, ‘You are worthy’ seems like a heretical thing to do since God is the only one worthy! However, it would be wise for us to consider seriously the saying, ‘Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater’ with our response.
Undoubtedly, grace is the unmerited favour and love that God bestows upon a rebellious, undeserving humanity, unworthy of salvation. Grace which can’t be earned, emphasises God’s benevolence rather than the worthiness of the recipient. When Jesus offered to come to the centurion’s house to heal his beloved servant, he replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof…” (Matthew 8:8). Jesus never refuted him. Paul considered himself unworthy to be called an apostle (1 Cor 15:9).
However, this is only side of the truth about humanity. The Bible also teaches another truth simultaneously, that while we are unworthy, we are not worthless, i.e. we have intrinsic worth and value because we’re created in God’s image. Nothing, not even sin negates that value it instils in every human being.
Therefore, both truths must be upheld. If we overemphasise human worth, we cheapen grace: ‘Of course, God sent his Son to die for me. That’s because I’m worthy’. Repentance becomes unnecessary. Why wouldn’t God save you? By the same token, if we overemphasise human worthlessness, we weaken grace: I’m filth, broken beyond redemption and outside of God’s reach. Head in that direction, repentance becomes impossible. Why would God bother with me? (I credit Trevin Wax, a lecturer and author, for this).
Brothers and sisters, while we are undoubtedly unworthy and sinful before a holy God, we are also undoubtedly NOT worthless. As Wax writes, “No, we’re both wretched and wonderful. We’re beauty and the beast”.
In the words of a song we sing at church, written by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed, my ransom paid
At the cross
Christ in us, the hope of glory!
Mark
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