Worthy

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called" (Eph 4:1). What did he mean by "worthy"? It's not some super-secret. He just meant "equivalent," "appropriate" -- walk in a way that corresponds to the calling you've received. We understand that. It's an important word in Christianity because we are not worthy. It is the essence of grace. And for that we're grateful.

The word is used elsewhere, too. Scripture talks about "the LORD, who is worthy to be praised" (2 Sam 22:4). The most famous, I suppose are the ones in Revelation.

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. (Rev 4:11)

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." (Rev 5:12)

What these texts are saying is that God receiving glory and honor and power and riches and wisdom and ... well, you can see the lists ... are all a matter of "worthy."

Worthy: equivalent, appropriate, equal in value. Why do we praise God? Because it's right; because He's worthy. Why does God deserve all the glory? Because He's worthy; because it's appropriate. Why is God the ultimate point, the highest being, the focus of all things? Because that is equal in value to Him; He is worthy. What is sin? Falling short of His glory (Rom 3:23). Or, to put it another way, failing to recognize and acknowledge and revel in His worthiness. Megalomaniac? Not at all. He's worthy. We don't worship Him because we ought; we worship Him because He above all is absolutely worthy. It corresponds to who He is.