Dignity and Worth: Easter Gifts

I just finished the last message from the sermon series I have been editing for eBook format. The topic of the set is Dignity and Worth.  The last two weeks have been a fabulous time for me of learning and growing in the knowledge of Christ.

I must admit my brain had been languishing and was somewhat out of shape, but the exercise of editing has helped it firm back up again. :)

The underlying theme of all twelve messages is that we can identify with God, a loving Father, who has crowned us with glory and honor, or dignity and worth.  We can trust Him to only give us good, and through Jesus we stand before Him without fault or blemish.  He is never mad at us.  Knowing of His goodness and our place of honor, we will desire to walk in righteousness rather than choose to live according to our old sinful nature.

Here is a short passage from the work I did today:

Colossians 2 tells us that Jesus did this when He took the law and nailed it to the cross.  The only way God could keep man from breaking the law was to deliver him from it. He delivered us from works and all the ordinances in the law that were against us.  Because of this, we are now in a position where God does not blame us for anything. Unlike the Old Testament prophets, you will never fall before God in the Holy of Holies in sin and shame. You will never enter his presence and hear Him say, “You are not holy so you can’t come near me.” You will never need to purify your lips with a coal from the altar before worshipping. You have been purified, sanctified and washed clean by the blood of Jesus. The only condition is that you fully believe the truth, standing in it steadfast and firm, strong in the Lord, convinced of the good news that Jesus died for you, never shifting from trust in Him for your salvation. This is the wonderful news that came to each of you and is now spreading all over the world...

...You must feel good about yourself. You must have confidence that whenever you make a decision God will give you the strength to carry out that plan.  Walking in grace is the decision to believe that God will give you the strength to carry out anything He asks you to do. The person who does not feel good about themselves or have a sense of dignity and worth will allow circumstances to dictate their future.  They lack confidence to solve any problem or challenge that confronts them.  They give up hope because they aren’t consistent in a sense of worth from God. 

This gift from God through Jesus--the gift of righteousness, dignity and worth--is amazing. The indignities of false accusations, the guilt and shame of acts committed, the worthless feeling of having no one of value to identify with are all annihilated at the cross of Christ.   The law which only showed us how to sin has been nailed to the cross and is no longer a consideration when God looks at us.

Even more than the mental ascent of knowing that my sins have been removed from my account, I am rejoicing in the feeling of being right before God.  That feeling of acceptance and adoration that my Father-Daddy lavishes upon me is not dependent on my behavior or opinions.  He gives it freely because when He looks at me, He sees Jesus--I am hidden in Him.

This ability to identify with Christ brings confidence and a feeling of worth.  It instills a deep trust in my heart that God will do only good and always act in love toward me.  That love draws me to repentance and His grace fills me with the strength and ability to do the things He has called me to do--love Him and love others.

There has always been a hesitancy in my heart to fully trust God in that way.  The teaching I received early in my Christian walk led me to believe that certain behavior must be maintained if I was to expect anything from God.  Behavior was the key: good behavior to blessing or bad behavior the reason I failed to receive healing or other gifts from God. This was a flesh-based attempt at righteousness, but it was firmly entrenched!

Any time I do anything in an attempt to gain something from God, I am operating from the flesh.  It is only by faith in the finished work of Christ that I can expect anything from God.

He has already given us everything we need for life and righteousness, and through Christ we qualify for every blessing He has ever given to anyone.  It seems foolish to trust in my own feeble abilities to gain that which has already been delivered to me!

To me, the best gifts from Jesus' sacrifice are the ability and freedom to stand before God without fear of judgment, and the knowledge that He loves me so lavishly.  Happy Easter!