Vocabulary Matters

There is a way of thinking which sometimes comes down to a simple word choice, that is widespread in the church that grieves me. It's subtle and sounds so close to the truth it's easy to buy into it. But once you do, it will change everything. What seems like a harmless, at worst, half truth can change how we relate to God and others completely.

Ready for it? Here it is.

You, are not worthy.

Because grace is free and we are sinners saved by grace through faith...how can we possibly be worthy?

We are well-meaning. We say "I am unworthy of God's love, of his grace, of forgiveness."
But there is a problem with our vocabulary and it matters.

We are worthy and the price paid for us by our Savior screams that at us. Are we deserving? No. But worthy? Your worth could not be placed at a higher value.

How do we know what something is worth? One of the best ways I've understood this idea is this; the computer you're reading this on probably cost you around $1,000 because it was worth it to you to pay that much. What we are willing to pay for something defines it's worth.

So, how worthy are you? God, who created the heavens and the earth, who is all powerful, all knowing, who is love, who is just and holy... gave his only Son for you. Your worth is of infinite value,  and of the greatest cost.

What I deserve and what I am worth are two different conversations with the same happy ending, because of Jesus.

As someone who has personally struggled with knowing my worth and value I'm hopeful that we'll  change our vocabulary. That one word, misused, can send a message that is crippling in our relationship to God and others. We must know that we are worthy because God has made us so. Only then can we be free to respond to the love and forgiveness offered to us from God himself and from others.

If you want to say you are undeserving of God's love and forgiveness because you can't somehow do something to deserve it, by all means. But NEVER, have you been, unworthy. The God who loves you and created you has ascribed the highest worth to you by laying down his life for yours.


"Since you were precious in My sight; you have been honored and I have loved you, therefore I will give men for you and people for your life." Isaiah 43:4