Unworthy of Eternal Life?
Let it first be said that the Lord God has not left it to any of us to judge or decide who is or isn't worthy of salvation. This right has been given to Jesus alone, "that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father" (John 5:22-23).
The title of this short article is really a quotation from Acts 13:46. Paul and Barnabas had been invited to teach in the Jewish synagogue, which they did, as recorded in verses 15-41. The reaction of their audience was most favorable. Paul and Barnabas were invited back to preach again on the following Sabbath. But on this occasion the reception was quite different!
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
Please notice that the condition of unworthiness was the result of their rejection of gospel. The Jewish leaders, in particular, would not allow the truth of Christ to be seriously considered in their own minds, nor among the multitudes. They were prejudice. Though the truth was clearly before them, they could neither see nor understand it. In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote of such people when he said:
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (4:3-4).
This description portrays the audience of Paul and Barnabas. They could not see the truth of the gospel. But their blindness was of their own doing. They could not see because they did not want to see. They could not understand because there was no desire to understand. In them the prophecy of Isaiah found another fulfillment.
"And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them'" (Matt 13:14-15).
These people were so badly in need of the saving truth of the Savior, but were unwilling to accept it. By their rejection of the one way of redemption in Christ, these individuals had "judged themselves unworthy of eternal life." Unworthy of it's benefits and promises? Yes, unworthy!
This isn't difficult to understand. To "bite the hand that is ready to feed you," - to ignore that divine love which offers hope to one who will turn from sin and serve God, is an obvious expression of unworthiness. Do you agree?
Each of us must come to realize the significance of this principle. To blame others, or even God, for judging us or condemning us, is simply a maneuver to justify self in some measure. It is a failure to recognize that one's own sins are the reason for God's condemnation. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness," (Romans 1:18). Yet, in His mercy and grace, He has extended the way of reconciliation and eternal life.
Through Jesus each one of us can receive the forgiveness of sins through his blood. But how? By first believing that he is the Messiah, the Son of God. For unless we believe this, we will most certainly die in our sins (John 8:24). When those who had believed in Acts 2 asked the apostles what they must do to be saved (vs. 37), Peter commanded them to "repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (vs. 38). Those who truly believed obeyed this command and received the forgiveness of sins (vs. 41).
What is your response to this offer of salvation through Christ? Are you thrusting it from you? Ignoring it? Arguing with it? Opposing it? Are you judging yourself "unworthy of eternal life?"
Glen Barnhart (slightly revised by Kieran Murphy)