Why is grace essential for understanding our worth before God?

The sermon emphasizes that man's righteousness is as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). Even our best actions are tainted by sin, which highlights the necessity of grace. Without grace, individuals may mistakenly seek to establish their worth through their own deeds, leading to despair when they inevitably fall short. Job exemplifies this by recognizing that his righteousness does not save him; it is only God’s grace that provides assurance of worth and standing before Him. The true message of the Gospel is that though we are sinners, in Christ, we are viewed as holy and innocent, illustrating the beauty and necessity of grace in our relationship with God.