Confess Our Unworthiness, Celebrate His Worthiness

By Lynn Gardner

Paul warned against partaking of the Lord”s Supper in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27, 29). However, that does not mean we should not recognize our unworthiness as we partake.

Our culture stresses self-confidence as a key to success. Proper self-respect as one made in the image of God is not sinful, and recognizing we are unworthy to be saved by God is not having a low self-image or low self-esteem. God places a value on us because he created us in his image, but we stand before him as guilty sinners who do not deserve his favor and acceptance.

We like to think we earn what we receive. Man-made plans of salvation are systems based on self-effort. In human systems, salvation may be attained through ritual observance, good works, meditation, knowledge, or something that persons must do to merit their salvation. Man-made plans of salvation make people feel they earn and deserve salvation.

In God”s plan of salvation, we must acknowledge our sinfulness and unworthiness for God to admit us into his family (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Until we acknowledge that we are sinners who deserve to be banished from God”s presence and favor, we will never experience the overwhelming relief and joy of God”s grace. The belief that one deserves Heaven prevents him or her from experiencing the true joy of salvation. God”s grace is amazing and wonderful only to those who know they are unworthy of his favor. Paul testified, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” Instead of a righteousness of his own, he claimed “the righteousness
that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:8, 9).

As we partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine, we confess our unworthiness and celebrate his worthiness. “You are worthy, our Lord and God. . . . Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain” (Revelation 4:11; 5:12). We affirm that God has cancelled our sinful record, replacing it with Christ”s perfect, righteous record. God transfers Christ”s merit to our account, undeserving as we are. We come with thanksgiving, celebrating our Lord”s worthiness as the sacrifice for our sins and his acceptance of us as his children.

 

Lynn Gardner is a retired Bible college professor and academic dean.