We were out handing out sandwiches and spending time with people on the streets—listening to their stories, and sharing the Word of God. As we walked, we came upon a woman lying on the sidewalk. For a moment, I genuinely thought she was dead. When she finally moved and let us know she was alive, we sat down beside her, talked with her, and shared a sandwich. What began as a simple act of kindness quickly became a holy moment.
As we talked, we shared with her what the Bible says—that God loves her. Really loves her personally and intentionally. We told her that God desires to be part of her life: to offer salvation, new life, belonging, family, and hope. As she listened, tears began to fall. She kept repeating the same words over and over: “Why? I am not worthy. I don’t understand why God would want to save me.” Her pain was raw, and her question was honest.
And here is where she was both right—and wrong. She was right in recognizing that she is not worthy—none of us are worthy. Not one of us earns forgiveness, deserves mercy, or qualifies ourselves for new life in Christ. Grace is not something we achieve; it is something we receive. But where she was wrong was in believing that her unworthiness disqualified her from God’s love. She could not accept the truth that God sees her as worthy to save—not because of who she is, but because of who Jesus Christ is.
It is good and healthy to know we are unworthy of such a gift. But it becomes pride when we refuse to receive that gift. When we insist that our brokenness is too unworthy, we are saying that the bloodstained cross of Calvary is not sufficient. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ tells us the opposite: God does not save us because we are worthy—He saves us because He is good. And in that goodness, He offers us a new name, a new life, and the right to be called His children through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I am still praying she will one day believe that and receive Christ Jesus.
Lawrence Bowman
www.MissionFrontier.info
As we talked, we shared with her what the Bible says—that God loves her. Really loves her personally and intentionally. We told her that God desires to be part of her life: to offer salvation, new life, belonging, family, and hope. As she listened, tears began to fall. She kept repeating the same words over and over: “Why? I am not worthy. I don’t understand why God would want to save me.” Her pain was raw, and her question was honest.
And here is where she was both right—and wrong. She was right in recognizing that she is not worthy—none of us are worthy. Not one of us earns forgiveness, deserves mercy, or qualifies ourselves for new life in Christ. Grace is not something we achieve; it is something we receive. But where she was wrong was in believing that her unworthiness disqualified her from God’s love. She could not accept the truth that God sees her as worthy to save—not because of who she is, but because of who Jesus Christ is.
It is good and healthy to know we are unworthy of such a gift. But it becomes pride when we refuse to receive that gift. When we insist that our brokenness is too unworthy, we are saying that the bloodstained cross of Calvary is not sufficient. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ tells us the opposite: God does not save us because we are worthy—He saves us because He is good. And in that goodness, He offers us a new name, a new life, and the right to be called His children through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I am still praying she will one day believe that and receive Christ Jesus.
Lawrence Bowman
www.MissionFrontier.info
