I’m Not Worthy

We have all had those moments in life where we wish we could get a “redo.” As women, we have the tendency to camp out in the land of “should haves.” We often let our past define us, and many stay tethered to it, tainting our future. We believe the lie that we are unworthy of forgiveness, let alone believing we can ever identify as righteous. The “if only’s” haunt us because they are finitely unchangeable, but infinitely, we must be reminded that there are no “if only’s” in God’s economy. And regardless of what we hold against ourselves, we all have equal access to obtaining righteousness through Christ the minute we seek His mercy and forgiveness; He then freely bestows His imputed righteousness on our lives.

In 2 Peter 2:7, we read of a man named Lot who is called “righteous.” So, what does it take to earn such a high designation? Well, we learn through Abraham in Genesis 19 that the Lord was going to destroy the lands of Sodom and Gomorrah where Lot, his nephew, resided.

Abraham, desperate to intercede for him, asks the Lord, “Will Thou destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23). Did you get that question? The answer is “No”— for before judgment could be poured out upon Sodom, before fire and brimstone would come down to destroy Gomorrah, God would rescue any of those designated as righteous—which included Lot and his family.

Ironically, in spite of the judgment about to befall the city, we see there is some reluctance for Lot’s family to leave their home … “the men laid hold upon his hand and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth and set him without the city” (Genesis 19:16).

So, here we see righteous Lot reluctant to leave his depraved city where angels had to physically escort him away. We learn that Lot’s past included hanging out with perverted people— even calling them his brothers. He was a guy who offered his daughters to satisfy a homosexual mob. Yet God in His awesome grace wants us all to understand there are no secrets with Him or any sins too big for Him to redeem, and they are all included in His Storybook for all the ages.

Does it shock you that Lot of all people is considered righteous? What exactly is God’s standard? We learn through the sacrifice of God of His own son Jesus Christ that righteousness is imputed upon us solely based on simple faith. This is great news because many people’s past creep up on them and add additional condemnation to them when they slip up.

While we are not advocating for anyone to follow Lot’s example because sin brings all kinds of pain and problems, we want the world to know that: “if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your hearts that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Is that the most beautiful gesture of love imaginable?

And yes, change, better known as sanctification, will follow. It’s not just in the words we recite, but a matter of the heart. Simply put—no fruit; no root. There will always be a “turnabout” of old behaviors. The original Greek describes repentance as a “complete turnaround,” “a new thought pattern.”

We know that while Lot had his moments, we will have our moments as well. Life happens and whether we cause a ‘moment’ or a ‘moment’ is inflicted on us, if we are true followers of Jesus, He will use it for His good will and pleasure. Our transgressions when confessed are there to refine and not define us. And like Lot’s historical recording, they are to be used to encourage others along the way. Never believe you don’t have a chance to repent or that your past is beyond fixing or rectifying. Righteous Lot reassures us that we can all be righteous in Christ.