“My hope is not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died. My confidence is not that I am holy, but that being unholy Christ died for me. My faith is this, not in what I am or will be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is and must be, in what Christ did, and is still doing as he stands before the throne of glory.” – Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon totally captures the heart of what I believe.
A Christian is somebody who understands their utter unworthiness. I’m not holding on to any notion that there’s something great about me!
The greatest freedom and joy I’ve ever experienced is the moment I realized that Christ loved me even though I was totally unlovable. He chose me to be His child, and He’s not going anywhere!
What a miserable thing it is to try to work our way into the favor of God. If it were possible there would have been no need for Christ to come and die.
My hope is not that I can somehow be good enough for Christ. The cross isn’t proof of my worthiness; it’s evidence of my sinfulness!
The whole point of Jesus being nailed to the cross is that I needed a Savior.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.-1 Corinthians 15:3
Don’t confuse His love for you with your worthiness. These are two completely different things. God loves you more than you can ever imagine, but it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re worthy.
The nails through His hands and feet, the spear in His side, the sacrifice that He made- all testify to the fact of how far I fall short of the perfections and glory of God.
At the cross I see an indictment of my wickedness. But I also see there, a love like no other.
Jesus didn’t have to come from Heaven to Earth. He didn’t have to die on a cross. He didn’t have to give Himself for us, but He did.
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. -Galatians 2:20
Because I was so lovable? No!
Valuable? Yes, infinitely valuable!!! But not because I’m worthy.
Once a child of God understands this they’re unshakable. Christ loved me and gave Himself for me. Not when I reached a certain standard, but while I was yet a sinner!
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:6-8
I could repeat it 10,000 times! Totally unworthy, but totally loved!
His love is sure, and unshakable.
“Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.” -Psalms 62:5