Central Truth

No man, woman, or child can compare with the One True God. He is beyond measure. His "foolishness" is wiser than our wisdom, and His "weakness" is stronger than our strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25) Even on our best days, we cannot measure up to Him.   

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Reflections

A WORM? I am not a worm! I sometimes feel I know a few worms!  But certainly not me! After all, I've only committed MOSTLY "small, little" sins. Not those big whoppers that prove certain others to be worm-like. You can relate, I bet. We even sing about it. You may know the old hymn--"Alas, and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head"---wait for it---"for such a WORM as I?" 

You see, Job's friends fell into the judgmental, self-righteous trap I sometimes find myself falling into. They just KNEW that Job was suffering because of some hidden sin in his life. Obviously, they argue, God is punishing Job. This pit/trap has two entrances. Have you been there too? Entrance #1: The trap where you believe those that have pain, trials, or suffering in their lives MUST have done something to deserve it. Entrance #2: The even bigger trap that other people's sins are sooooo much bigger than mine. Those people are the real "worms" this Scripture and old hymn must be talking about, right?  

As Charles Swindoll points out in Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, this worm theology creates HUGH problems. Either we personally feel like a worm because of our sins, or we compare our sins to that of others, awarding those with "bigger" sins the title of KING WORM. I have to remind myself of the reality that even if I'm suddenly the only human to walk this planet, I would still need my Savior. My sins, whether small or large by my failed standard, still put Jesus on the cross in my place! Romans 3:23 applies to me just as much as it does to my fellow "worms." But those of us redeemed by His blood are not worms! We are saved by His grace, through His death, by His love and grace so that NONE can boast. He declares us His children. We are not worms, but chosen children of the King.  Remind me of that when you see me in the pit of worms, please!

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Discussion Questions

1.  Do you know any "KING WORMS" in your life? Pray about how God can change your heart to see these "worms" as His chosen people, flawed by sin but redeemed by His grace just as you have been. 

2.  What worm theology pit do you find yourself in at times? List your "worm-like" qualities. Is this how others see you? Is this how God sees you? 

3.  Reflect on your personal sin-o-meter. How do you rate your sin issues compared to what you think of as big sins? Is this a Biblical perspective?
 
4.  Memorize Romans 3:23.  Reflect on it to give you perspective when you find yourself in the pits of "I'm a worm" or "Everyone else but me is a worm!"

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