Identity: He is Worthy, You are Not

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10

Big Idea:

All glory, honor, and praise belong to Jesus Christ alone. We are not worthy — He is.

A Culture of Self

Our culture pushes self-love, self-respect, and self-esteem far too much. Psychology and the esteeming of man have infiltrated our thinking, our feelings, and our daily lives in every area. It has poisoned the evangelical mindset and our churches across this nation.

Why? Because we do not truly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of honor, glory, and praise — we believe that man is. We say Christ is worthy, but we don’t really believe it or live it. We have absorbed what the world and pagan psychologists have taught us, and in this area we live as practical atheists.

Who gets the glory?

How often I have heard Christian parents say, “You’re awesome. You have it in you. You can do it. I’m so proud of you. You are so talented and gifted. Wow, you’re amazing.”

Instead, we could be saying, “Praise the Lord — He has gifted you. Praise the Lord — He made you so athletic. The Lord has really blessed you. I am so thankful to the Lord for the gifts and talents He has given you.”

The truth is, we don’t even notice how constantly we give glory, honor, and praise to human

beings, when all of it belongs to Jesus Christ.

The snare of man's approval

One reason people constantly struggle in their walk with the Lord is this very fact: they are seeking the approval of man. They want man’s praise, glory, and honor instead of seeking to glorify, honor, and esteem the name of Jesus. They are thinking and living by the wisdom of man and this world.

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” — Proverbs 29:25

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” — John 5:44

Stop Being Conformed

We must stop allowing the ways and thinking of this world to shape us.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Donot conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and

perfect will.” — Romans 12:1–2

I believe many have been conformed to the pattern of this world: self-love, self-esteem, a focus on self, emotions, and needs, and a hunger for glory and praise from others, rather than truly living for Christ so that He receives all the glory, praise, and honor.

This is why so many are, in a sense, lost. They do not know what God’s will is. They wander, searching for meaning, acceptance, and some form of approval from others. This way of thinking and living will never let you live freely or experience the abundant life God has for you. You will always be at a loss, and you will never know what it truly means to live with joy and peace.

The only way we can truly live is when we trust and obey the Lord and His Word.

Our True Worth

We have great worth because we are made in the image of God — and we are made worthy only because Jesus Christ died on the cross and made us righteous (right) before a Holy God.

Scripture to Read

God's Worthiness

• Revelation 4:11

• Revelation 5:12

• Psalm 145:3

Our unworthiness

• Luke 17:10

• Isaiah 6:5

• Romans 3:23

Our worth in Christ

• Genesis 1:27

• 2 Corinthians 5:21

Reflect

1. Whose approval are you seeking most this week — God’s or people’s? How can you tell?

2. Listen to how you praise your children, friends, or coworkers. Does the glory land on them, or on the Lord who gifted them?

3. Where has the world’s pattern of self-esteem shaped your thinking more than Scripture has?

4. What would change today if you lived as though Christ alone is worthy?

Pray

Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Forgive me for seeking the

approval of man and for giving to people the glory that belongs to You. Renew my mind by Your Word so that I am no longer conformed to this world. Thank You that my worth is found only in You — that You died for me and made me right before a Holy God. Help me to trust and obey You today, so that You receive all the glory. Amen.