Mercy? or Worthy?

"For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born!  What undeserved mercy!" Apostle Paul, letter to the Galatians 1:15 NLT

Writing to the new Christians in Galatia, Paul recounted his experience meeting the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus.  Was he thinking: "What?  You're really the Son of God?  You want me to do what?  But I don't deserve your mercy, your grace, your forgiveness, your attention, your ministry."

I could just as well insert my name into the verse above: For it pleased God in his kindness to choose Barbara and call Barbara, even before she was born!  What undeserved mercy!

What is my response to God choosing me, to calling me?
Amazed!  Blessed!  Me?  Am I worthy?  Thankful!
Am I worthy?  Well, first, was Paul worthy?  By human standards, Paul's history, that of persecuting Christians, would have made him unworthy.  But God didn't see it that way.  He still chose Paul to proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the people of the world.
In the same way, when I committed my life to Christ, I had learned that my history did not disqualify, or qualify me!  It isn't MY worthiness that's in question.  Now, that's amazing!  When else do we receive a gift but have not deserved it?

Why this undeserved mercy, this grace that Jesus offers us?
This mercy is offered because:
*God created me, planned my days, knows me inside and out - my heart, my thoughts, my walk (Psalm 139);
*God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that all who believe in him . . . will have eternal life (John 3:16);
*Jesus gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people (Titus 2:14);
*God will declare us to be righteous [worthy] IF we believe in him, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. Jesus died for our sins and God raised him from the dead TO MAKE US RIGHT WITH GOD (Romans 4:24, 25).

Insight: God created me, loves me, chose me, called me, and made plans for me to be his.  It is not my worthiness or unworthiness that wins this mercy.  It is Christ's death and resurrection that make us/me/Paul worthy PLUS my faith and belief in Jesus as the Son of God.  So, am I worthy?  NO!  Am I chosen and called?  YES!  Why?  Because of Christ's actions and my faith.  Grateful, I am!

Thank you Lord for this amazing mercy!  What joy you bring to my heart!  How wonderful that you are so pleased to offer it to me!  I love you for this and so pleased that you walk with me as we carry out your plans together.  Amen.