It is a question for our times: What are those texts of Scripture most minimized?

That is to say, within our part of evangelicalism, what are the biblical passages that we’d rather ignore? The ones we acknowledge, but rarely embrace? To name a few:

Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1).

Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27).

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10).

These are important words, holy words, but they aren’t so popular, and perhaps even for a decent (albeit misguided) reason. They might seem at odds with the gospel of grace, putting too much focus on what we do rather than the finished work of Christ. They might tend toward awakening our inner legalists, confusing us into thinking that we can earn favor from God. To be sure, someone somewhere has misused these words that way.

But that’s not what they mean. And because they are important words — holy words — we should seek to understand them.

In this five-minute excerpt from a message delivered at Bethlehem College and Seminary, John Piper presses into the meaning of worthiness in the Bible and offers a straightforward application for our lives.

“Woven into our worthiness is a profound sense of our unworthiness.”

Read, watch, or listen to the entire chapel message, “Are You Worthy of Jesus?”