p. 1 | Too Unworthy by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1872

Too Unworthy.

By H. A. St. John

SINNERS oftimes, when exhorted to seek Christ and find pardon for sin, excuse themselves by saying that they are too unworthy. Now it is right and proper that they should feel themselves unworthy; indeed, without a deep sense of unworthiness, it would be impossible for any one to come to Christ. But if any were actually too unworthy, then they could not come. But from careful observation, we have come to the conclusion that it is not a feeling of being too unworthy that keeps men away from Christ, so much as an utter lack of the sense of unworthiness. They do not feel unworthy enough.

But let us come to the cases of those who already confess Christ and profess to be his servants. How often do they make unworthiness an excuse for neglecting duty? “Oh! I knew that it would be right for me to do so, it was my duty, it is my duty still, but then I feel so unworthy.” Now, brother or sister, whoever you may be, are you not mistaken? May you not be deceived? Are you sure it is not stubbornness, or rebellion, instead of unworthiness, that causes you to neglect this or that which you admit to be duty? Examine well your own heart, and be not deceived. The only antidote for self-deception is self-examination.

Permit us to use an illustration that will help to an understanding of this matter. Suppose Bro. A has a man in his employ. One morning Bro. A says to his hired servant, “Thomas, harness the team, hitch it to the carriage, and take myself and wife to the village.” Thomas replies, “I know it is my duty, Bro. A, but then I am too unworthy.” He sits complacently in Bro. A’s easy chair, while duty after duty is pointed out to him, but each time pleads unworthiness. How long do you think Bro. A would keep such a man in his employ? How long would you tolerate such a servant? Would you think it a feeling of real unworthiness in the man that would cause him thus to act? or would you not rather think it laziness, or stubbornness? If Thomas actually felt unworthy of his position in Bro. A’s family, then would he have manifested it by the most watchful and active obedience. The more unworthy he felt, the more diligent and faithful he would

be in the performance of every duty. So it should be with Christians. Do they feel unworthy of such a divine Master? Unworthy of a place in the family of God? Unworthy of being the adopted sons and daughters of the Almighty? then this unworthiness will be faithfully exhibited by their actions. If they feel very unworthy, they will abound in good works. If they feel almost too unworthy to be called Christians, then, with constant watchfulness, will they stand at the post of duty, ready at all times to do their Master’s bidding in every particular. Show me the most unworthy man or woman, and I will show you the most devoted and faithful Christian. Let us then seek for the true feeling of unworthiness, which will lead us to greater diligence and faithfulness in the good service of the Lord.

H. A. ST. JOHN.