Maybe I Deserve?

Acts 13:46 - “… It was necessary that the word be spoke to you (Israelites/ Jews) first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Is it just me who finds this scripture deep? First of all, I don’t remember noticing this passage the many other times I’ve read Acts before. Praise God for new and constant revelation in His word! But it got me to thinking; how many other blessings from God do I hinder because I judge myself unworthy? And in the past too, what did my behavior then say about what I thought/felt I deserved?

Everlasting life and many/any other things in The Word that God says is ours to have is a promise. Love, joy, peace, abundant life, prosperity, you name it! It’s yours for the asking! However, there’s a process to the promise! Phil 3:14 states: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The pressing is the process and the mark is the promise. God never changes and neither does His divine order of events. There’ll always be a process. Now, how long that process takes and what it entails is a whole other story!

Sometimes God reveals the process to you but more often than not, He doesn’t. One, if we knew what trials lay ahead, we probably wouldn’t persevere until the end. Keep it real! Two, His lack of giving us the details is meant to cultivate our faith in Him. I always try to remind myself that whatever I ask from God, He usually doesn’t give it to me directly, but He give the opportunity to get that which I asked for. Let me clarify, if I want more patience, He will give me opportunities to practice being patient. I mean, you can’t measure patience with a ruler so…

Therefore, if faith is “… the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1),” then God will give you opportunities where you are blindly following Him towards the mark, trusting that He will not let you fail. That’s faith! Do you believe that God will see you through? Do you believe that you are worth getting ALL that God has promised?

If you don’t, that’s ok. Ask God to help you get to that point. But be ready, He’ll give you the opportunity to show that you believe you’re worth it. In the end, remember the test is really for you; so that YOU can see the progress of your relationship with God.

Welcome the tests, YOU DESERVE IT!