The Bible explains God’s character in myriad ways. In this post, I will focus on Christ being worthy.
Here are some passages for us to consider:
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies[1]
2 Samuel 22.4
For other passages that declare that God is worthy of praise, see also Psalm 18.3, 48.1, 96.4, 145.3
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. 28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. [2]
1 Chronicles 16.25-30
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being[3]
Revelation 4.11
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise[4]
Revelation 5.12
In these and other verses, we find the Bible repeatedly telling us that God and Christ are worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, glory, honor and praise.
Conversely, the Bible never says we are worthy to receive these things. In fact, every time we do receive them, the Bible connects our receiving them to the generosity of God. It is only by His generosity that we receive any of these things: wisdom (James 1.1-5), wealth (Deuteronomy 8.10-18), power (Acts 6.8, 10.38, Romans 1.16, 9.17, 1 Corinthians 2.4, 2 Corinthians 12.9) are examples.
We so often seek that which only God is worthy to receive. Who among us doesn’t want to be powerful, wealthy, wise and strong? Who wouldn’t like to have honor and praise from others? Our worship of God is directly connected to our humility before Him. Learning to worship Him and ascribe to Him these things indicates we think He is worthy and we are not. That’s not a low self-esteem – that’s proper humility.
Let us not seek that which should be ascribed only to God and be grateful to Him when He shares with us that which rightly belongs only to Him.
Bill English, Publisher
Bible and Business
[1] The New International Version. (2011). (2 Sa 22:4). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2] The New International Version. (2011). (1 Ch 16:25–30). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3] The New International Version. (2011). (Re 4:11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[4] The New International Version. (2011). (Re 5:12). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
