Embracing the Tension Between Unworthiness and Worthiness in Christ
In the ongoing journey of our series, “Grace in the Gap,” we delve into the heart of the gospel to uncover the perfect provision for our imperfection: Jesus Christ. This post focuses on how Christ not only bridges the gap created by our unworthiness but also invites us into a new realm of worthiness through His grace.
In the first part of our series, we confronted the challenging reality of our unworthiness before a holy and righteous God. It’s a truth that humbles us and prepares our hearts to grasp the incredible depth of God’s love and provision. That provision is found in the person of Jesus Christ—God’s perfect response to our imperfection.
The Heart of the Gospel
At the heart of the Christian faith is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel confronts us with the truth that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). This act of divine love presents Jesus as the bridge over the chasm created by our sins, connecting us back to God.
Jesus’ life on earth was one of complete obedience to the Father, marked by compassion, humility, and a dedication to the will of God above all else. He lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved to die. Through His resurrection, Jesus not only conquered death but also secured our hope for eternal life with God.
Jesus: Fully God and Fully Man
The significance of Jesus being fully God and fully man cannot be overstated. As fully God, Jesus embodies the holiness and righteousness of God. As fully man, He experienced the full range of human emotions and temptations, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). This unique nature of Christ ensures that He is the only one capable of standing in the gap for us, mediating between God and man.
Our Worthiness in Christ
When we place our faith in Jesus, something extraordinary happens: we are clothed in His righteousness. This is not because of anything we have done, but entirely because of what Jesus has done for us. In God’s eyes, we are no longer seen in our sinfulness but in the righteousness of Christ.
This transformation is beautifully described as becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our identity is no longer defined by our failures, sins, or unworthiness but by Christ’s victory over sin and death. This does not mean we become perfect overnight, but it does mean that our standing before God is secure in Jesus.
The Tension of Grace
Understanding our worthiness in Christ does not eliminate the tension we explored in the first article. Instead, it adds depth to it. Knowing that we are made worthy through Jesus’ sacrifice should humble us, reminding us that our salvation is a gift of grace, not a reward for our merit.
This knowledge also empowers us. It reassures us that despite our imperfections, we are loved, accepted, and valued by God. It challenges us to live lives that reflect the grace we have received, extending love, forgiveness, and compassion to others.
At the core of the Christian message is the profound truth that while we were deeply entrenched in our shortcomings, Christ’s love for us was so boundless that He willingly endured the cross on our behalf (Romans 5:8). This act of ultimate love and sacrifice is the bridge over the chasm our sins had created, offering us a way back to God.
Scripture Reflection: 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This powerful verse illuminates the heart of our series: the divine exchange at the cross where Jesus, the sinless one, took upon Himself our sin, granting us in return His righteousness. Here, the “gap” of our unworthiness is not just bridged; it is transformed into a gateway to a new identity in Christ. Our worthiness before God is a direct result of this grace-filled exchange, highlighting that our redemption is not earned but bestowed.
Jesus’ life was a testament to obedience, compassion, and humility, perfectly fulfilling God’s will. His resurrection is not just a victory over death but a proclamation of the hope and eternal life available to us in God. Through faith in Christ, we step into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), shedding our old identities marred by failure and sin, and embracing the righteousness imparted to us through Jesus.
Discussion & Reflection Questions:
- How does 2 Corinthians 5:21 deepen your understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made for us?
- How does it make you feel to know He became sin for us so we might become the righteousness of God?
- In practical terms, what does being “made righteous” in God’s eyes through faith in Christ mean for your daily life?
- How can we, as individuals and as a community, better reflect the righteousness of God that we have been granted through Christ?
As we move forward in our “Grace in the Gap” series, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith—not just as a bridge over our spiritual gap but as the very foundation of our new identity in God. Through Him, we are invited to live in the fullness of grace, embodying the worthiness that is ours in Christ.
Stay with us as we continue to explore the depths of grace and mercy in this transformative journey, understanding more deeply how the perfect provision of Jesus Christ enriches our walk with God and with each other.
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