I am enough, or am I?

What do you think is a better way to get people to understand the Gospel? Is it by encouraging them that they are enough, or by explaining that they aren't? These questions are inspired by a Facebook comment with a three-word testimony, "I am enough."That person probably held those words close to the heart. I'm speculating here, but maybe that person's testimony is described that way because, for a long time believing that they weren't worthy of love, affection or calling had adverse and deep effects on their life. Those words helped them to step into and act out of acceptance because the world didn't provide that much. Who could argue against that?

A positive message never heard anybody. Certainly, positive speaking, encouraging words, and affirmations have done significantly more good in this world than harm. Who doesn't love songs that are positive and encouraging? (K-Love, anyone?) People who don't believe they have value or can contribute anything aren't motivated to help themselves or anyone else improve or have a fulfilling life. That's why the world it so adamant about selling that idea to you. Believe in yourself. You can do it. Anyone denying that is either being silly or is a dangerous criminal. But positive words have a history of being misused and distorting the truth. Positive messages sometimes miss the point, right?

Many people would be devastated if you simply told them that they are wretches and not worthy of love. But isn't that true? Isn't that what the great hymnal describes to us?

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that save a wretch like me...

Not a beautiful person, a worthy person, or a good person, but a wretch.

I think the idea of "I am enough." is positive and I wouldn't argue that, but it may yet stem from a deep, subconscious urge to satisfy the id, the ego. And that is nothing new. Humanity has been trying to affirm their worth despite falling way short of the glory of God for a long time. And this may stem from the even deeper desire to be affirmed of one's value; to be known and to be loved. (Note: That desire is placed there by God.) But the message of the Gospel isn't that people are enough, it's that His grace is enough. "His grace is sufficient for me." as Paul states in the 2 Corinthians 12:9. God doesn't love you because you are worthy of His love. He loves you in spite of your unworthiness. Despite you being a hot mess, he showed that he is compassionate and madly in love with you. And the focus could be taken off of the fact that it is Christ Alone that provides our worth, value, beauty, and calling. That doesn't come from us. That's all God.

I mean, if we are simply enough, what is Jesus dying for?

Get this. You still have value. A ton of it. The Gospel shows that too. Salvation means being saved from something. We are saved from our falling short, our infirmities, from our self-righteousness, our greed, our pride, and our insecurities. But to be saved means that someone also fines something worth saving. And you were made in God's image. So there is something about you that is valuable. So Christ sacrificed himself for us. Because He Loves Us. But saying that we are simply enough can be a back door into once again accepting the lie that being enough is what is required for His acceptance, which is simply bad theology. When our testimony is "I am enough." it passively says that "I am acceptable to God which is why I am accepted by God." When the bible makes something clear, the wages of sin is death. So not only are we not worthy of God's love, we're justifiably separated from it. It cost Jesus his life to have Salvation. He accepts us because of a debt being cleared by our Savior. And I think we're losing the message about Jesus being our only hope if we consistently entertain the thoughts that we are already beautiful creatures with sky-high potential.

When I look into the mirror, I don't see enough. Before noon, I emphatically show that I am not. I am well aware of my unworthiness of Christ's sacrifice. But that is what makes it great. That is why I praise him. That is where the depths of my worship come from; being known, loved, and accepted by someone who IS enough.

If you disagree, that's ok. If you feel that I've undermined your story, that's certainly not the intent. I just think a lot. And this is what I think. Leave your comments below! We would love to hear your story. Also, know that we love to pray and we will pray for you by name if you leave your request below. God Bless. MS.