Worthy

Have you ever wondered what Paul meant by living “worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:27)?

In his new book Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel, published by Crossway, Sinclair Ferguson takes us through the pages of Scripture to find out what it means to be “worthy.”

In one section of the book, Ferguson makes the point that to live in a manner worthy of the gospel is tied to being in union with Jesus Christ.

He writes:

We can do no more than summarize here: the believer is someone who, through his or her faith union with the Lord Jesus, has died to the dominion or lordship of sin and been raised to new life. More than that, our true life is now hidden with Christ in God.

And then further in his work, Ferguson states his premise clearly, by saying:

Our heavenly Father intends to make us like his incarnate Son, transforming us into his likeness. God’s simple “purpose” is that we should be “conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:28-29). That is what it means to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Being “worthy” is simply part and parcel with becoming more like Jesus. And the best part is this: being “worthy” is connected with our justification, of course.

Here is what Ferguson states on justification:

Think of it: you can never be more justified than you were the moment you trusted Christ! The greatest saint is no more justified than the newest believer! That justification is sure; it is perfect; it is irreversible; it is therefore final. It is guaranteed!

Beautiful. Marvelous. Breathtaking. Surreal. “The greatest saint is no more justified than the newest believer!” The reality of our secure justification should cause our hearts to swell up with amazement at our God, who alone makes us worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ferguson goes on to say that living worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ will always be intertwined with the preaching of God’s Word, as that is an instrument by which we are made worthy.

He notes:

When we hear the word of God expounded in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, we are listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd himself calling his sheep. He has promised to illumine and renew our thinking, to expose our sin so that we may see, feel, and confess it, and experience its forgiveness. It is through preaching that Christ will heal our hurts and strengthen us to live for the glory of God. In a nutshell, his word itself will help us to live lives that are “worthy of the gospel” and create in us a reflection of Christ.

Friends, Sinclair Ferguson has done the church a great service through this book. Go get your copy.

I received this book for free I’m exchange for an honest review.