Accurately Measuring Our Own Self-Worth

Have we ever wondered by what standard we are to measure our own self-worth? As former Yale English professor William Deresiewicz declares in this article, Ivy League schools are not the standard by which we are to measure our self-worth, for they promote a false measure of self-aggrandizement, no real commitment to education, learning, or thinking, and no real commitment to making the world a better place  just a smoke and mirrors facade.

The only valid standard of measurement by which we can accurately measure our own self-worth, is by God's standard of measurement. In Psalm 8:4 (NLT), we have the Psalmist asking this question:

"What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?"

The Hebrew writer declares that the only valid measurement of our self-worth is by what Jesus (in human form) did on the cross to remove the stain of sin from our lives, making us worthy of that eternal realm (Hebrews 2:6-11; Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT).

As brother Burton Coffman points out in his commentary on Psalm 8:

"It would seem that the Psalmist here had no intention of writing a Psalm depicting the Coming of God's Messiah to bless humanity; but in Hebrews 2:6-8 it is categorically stated that all that was intended in the creation of man was fulfilled only in Jesus Christ our Lord. He was the only human ever born who was in every way and at all times exactly what God created man to be. Whatever fulfillment of this marvelous Psalm for our human race that may lie in the future, must come though Jesus Christ and through him alone. Even then, mortal men will be saved eternally and share the glory of Christ himself only as they consent to be his followers and obey him."

Our true self-worth, then, can only be accurately measured by the sinless Christ. As He was sinless (1 Peter 2:20-24), we too can become sin-free by rendering obedience to His Father's will (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:5-9), allowing the blood of Christ to wash away our sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; cf. Hebrews 9:11-14; Revelation 1:4-5). If we haven't already, may we consider doing that today (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets




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