"Show me that I'm someone worth dying for."
So goes the main lyric of a new song. And I understand the point the songwriter is trying to make - he is talking about people who believe they have no value, that God could never love them, begging for someone to give them worth. However, all the value and intrinsic worth humans possess as beings created in the image of God is not what makes us worth dying for. The simple truth is that, though we are made in God's image, our sin has so separated us from God that we have nothing to offer, nothing of ourselves that makes us worthy of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Depressing, right?
But, that is precisely what makes the Gospel so wonderful, what makes the precious blood of Jesus, the priceless love of God, so awe-inspiring. God loves us, despite the fact that we are His enemies because of our evil behavior (Colossians 1:21), despite the fact that we nailed Him to the cross with our iniquity. He, for some inexplicable reason, desired to draw us back unto Himself, to restore us, to heal us, to make us holy. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). This was not because of anything we have done, will do, or any "value" we think we have. ("Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us." Titus 3:5).
His great love for us. That is the only way we are made worthy to be in His presence, to be part of His family. We are never nearer to His grace than when we realize our own unworthiness. In Luke 18, it was not the Pharisee who returned home forgiven, but rather the tax collector who cried out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" It was not the one who had done the most works, or acquired the most value in the world's eyes, but the one who realized he was completely hopeless apart from God's mercy.
So, you are someone worth dying for - but not because of any status you have attained or anything you have done, but because Jesus loves you. That is why Christ laid down His life for you - no more, no less. Recognize this, and let neither pride nor self-pity keep you from the cross. When you see you are a sinner, in need of a Savior, and that Jesus is that Savior, who is mighty to save, then cry out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" Then, experience the glorious joy of being called a child of God.
So goes the main lyric of a new song. And I understand the point the songwriter is trying to make - he is talking about people who believe they have no value, that God could never love them, begging for someone to give them worth. However, all the value and intrinsic worth humans possess as beings created in the image of God is not what makes us worth dying for. The simple truth is that, though we are made in God's image, our sin has so separated us from God that we have nothing to offer, nothing of ourselves that makes us worthy of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Depressing, right?
But, that is precisely what makes the Gospel so wonderful, what makes the precious blood of Jesus, the priceless love of God, so awe-inspiring. God loves us, despite the fact that we are His enemies because of our evil behavior (Colossians 1:21), despite the fact that we nailed Him to the cross with our iniquity. He, for some inexplicable reason, desired to draw us back unto Himself, to restore us, to heal us, to make us holy. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). This was not because of anything we have done, will do, or any "value" we think we have. ("Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us." Titus 3:5).
His great love for us. That is the only way we are made worthy to be in His presence, to be part of His family. We are never nearer to His grace than when we realize our own unworthiness. In Luke 18, it was not the Pharisee who returned home forgiven, but rather the tax collector who cried out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" It was not the one who had done the most works, or acquired the most value in the world's eyes, but the one who realized he was completely hopeless apart from God's mercy.
So, you are someone worth dying for - but not because of any status you have attained or anything you have done, but because Jesus loves you. That is why Christ laid down His life for you - no more, no less. Recognize this, and let neither pride nor self-pity keep you from the cross. When you see you are a sinner, in need of a Savior, and that Jesus is that Savior, who is mighty to save, then cry out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" Then, experience the glorious joy of being called a child of God.
