“Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’”
–Luke 17:10
Several years ago, one of my children looked forward to attending a classmate’s party.
About a week before the party, she said she’d done her “big chores,” though I could clearly see she hadn’t. When I asked why she lied to me, she still insisted she had done them.
Had she admitted to fibbing, I would have dropped it with nothing more than a reminder to always be truthful.
But when she refused to admit she’d lied, I couldn’t let it go. I told her she wouldn’t be going to the party after all.
She “redid” her chores and spent the rest of the week doing anything and everything she could to try to change my mind. She did her little sister’s chores, helped me with mine, and even did extras without being told to.
The day before the party she asked if she could go. When I said no, she couldn’t believe it. She thought she deserved to go.
I explained to her that trying to earn worthiness didn’t work that way. Worthiness, I said, comes from the heart — a heart that is truthful.
This was a valuable lesson for my daughter and an equally valuable one to me. We can never do enough to deserve forgiveness, but when we obey, it is ours because of God’s great love for us.
Prayer
Dear God, Nothing I can do could make me worthy of You. Thank You for Your gracious love and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
How can I be more obedient to God instead of trying to earn His favor?