Topical Bible: Man: Unworthy of God's Favour

◄ Man: Unworthy of God's Favour ►

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The concept of man's unworthiness of God's favor is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, highlighting the inherent sinfulness and moral failings of humanity in contrast to the holiness and righteousness of God. This theme underscores the need for divine grace and redemption, as human efforts alone are insufficient to attain God's favor.

Original Sin and Human Depravity

The doctrine of original sin, rooted in the account of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), establishes the foundation for understanding human unworthiness. Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." This passage illustrates that all of humanity inherits a sinful nature, rendering them unworthy of God's favor from birth.

The Universality of Sin

Scripture consistently affirms the universality of sin among mankind. Romans 3:23 declares, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse emphasizes that no individual is exempt from sin, and thus, all are unworthy of God's favor. The prophet Isaiah echoes this sentiment, stating, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Even the best human efforts are tainted by sin and cannot earn God's favor.

The Holiness of God

The unworthiness of man is further accentuated by the holiness of God. Habakkuk 1:13 describes God as being "too pure to look on evil," highlighting the vast chasm between God's perfect holiness and human sinfulness. This separation is a barrier that man, in his unworthy state, cannot bridge through his own merit.

The Need for Divine Grace

Given man's unworthiness, the Bible reveals the necessity of divine grace for salvation and favor. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that salvation and favor with God are not earned by human effort but are granted through God's grace.

Repentance and Faith

While man is unworthy, the Bible calls for repentance and faith as the means by which individuals can receive God's grace. Acts 3:19 urges, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty for sin, individuals can be reconciled to God despite their unworthiness.

The Role of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is central to addressing man's unworthiness. Romans 5:8 proclaims, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus provides the means by which unworthy humanity can be justified and receive God's favor.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a clear picture of man's unworthiness of God's favor due to sin and moral failure. However, it also offers the hope of redemption through divine grace, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. This theme serves as a reminder of the profound need for God's mercy and the transformative power of His love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 7:17
What is man, that you should magnify him? and that you should set your heart on him?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 8:4
What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth ...
... 2. He should justify God in all that he doth, and say with David, Psal ... 3. He should
look upon himself as unworthy of the least of that kind ... xxii.6, "and no man.". ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxvi how is christ.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... love""God is love;" its great end, the welfare of man; the purpose ... Aye, aye, but
the hand of God was there, as much in sending away that unworthy King as ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

Worthy-Not Worthy
... done nothing to procure, and to cast myself on the sole, all-sufficient mercy of
God in Jesus ... For that is the place for the man who knows himself unworthy. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/worthy-not worthy.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... It is written, "A man can receive nothing, except ... in this a wonderful foreshadowing
of God's dealings with ... He pleases, often on the most unlikely and unworthy. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

The New Covenant: a Covenant of Grace
... motives, but gives no inward power beyond what man himself has ... the bestowal of pardon
on the vile and unworthy; and a secret feeling arises that, if God be so ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xiv the new covenant .htm

God's Love to Fallen Man
... thereby shall never end, but flow at God's right hand ... from Adam's fall, which is
not unworthy our attention. ... descendant of Adam, every child of man, must have ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 59 gods love to.htm

Faithlessness and Defeat
... 'They fled, every man to his ... The ark was captured, and its two unworthy attendants
slain ... they had their gods, but Israel had turned away from their God, and He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/faithlessness and defeat.htm

What Proves God's Love
... is that which pours its whole preciousness on unworthy and unresponsive ... poor thing
to prove the love of God, and we ... A man sets himself to some great cause, not ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/what proves gods love.htm

St. James ii. 10
... and Strength to the darling Vice of every Man, who believes in him? ... How vain must
his professed Design be, and how unworthy of an holy, and wise God; if He ...
/.../sermon vi st james ii.htm

The Waters of Meribah
... How unworthy a representative of the long-suffering God was this angry man! ... The
subsequent history does not show any withdrawal of God's favour from him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the waters of meribah.htm