About Christians' Feeling Unworthy and Undone ...   
 

by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

 

The rash of going out of the way, by some super-spiritual elitists, to emphasize how worthless and undone they still feel after they have been made new creatures in Christ, is possibly rooted in Calvinistic concepts – especially the doctrine of the imputed righteousness of Christ. This doctrine allows one to still be a worthless sinner while God graciously imputes the righteous life of Christ to his account. While the man himself is still a vile sinner, God does not judge him so because He only sees the righteousness of Christ which He has spread over the filthy sinner – leaving him a sinner under the cover of Christ’s righteousness. Thus it is supposed to be a sign of great humility to magnify how unworthy and undone one feels. In fact, it is a slam on God’s workmanship in making us over by the power of the Gospel. Before Christ came into our lives we were nobodies (“not a people”), but he has made us into somebodies (people of God). (See 1 Peter 2:10) We are not self-made but God-made. We were the servants of sin but he has made us into the servant of righteousness. It is neither arrogant nor self-righteous to point out what we are after God’s make-over. We are new creatures. There is no need to retain a sack cloth and ashes breast beating mentality but lift up our eyes in thankful recognition of what we have become by the power of God. We should even urge others to become such as we are (cf. Acts 26:29). When it comes to Christians the operative is WERE when it comes to being worthless sinners (cf. Rom. 5:8, 19). In just a few verses we see what we have become by the power if God: 1. Living stones in God’s spiritual house. 2. A holy and royal priesthood. 3. A chosen generation. 4. A holy nation. 5. A peculiar people (His own special people - NKJV) 6. Kings and priests. 7. Worthy (1 Pet. 1:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 3:4) Praise be to God for what he has made us to be! Yes, even the most faithful Christians still sin at times, but they do not make it their practice and they correct it as they go rather than wallowing in it (1 John 1:7-10). I prefer to praise God for what he has made me into, rather than glorying in my humility.   Other Articles by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. Holding a Church Hostage What Can God do? Undercover Agents for Christ Reformation or Transformation? Be Careful With the Blame Game Is Unrestricted Loyalty a Virtue? A New Dogma How to Raise a Heartache The Right Baptism Standing Alone       For Past Auburn Beacons go to: www.aubeacon.com/Bulletins.htm   Anyone can join the mailing list for the Auburn Beacon! Send your request to: larryrouse@aubeacon.com