Worthiness

To be worthy is to be "deserving; such as merits; having worth or excellence; equivalent; with of, before the thing deserved. Possessing worth or excellence of qualities; virtuous; estimable. Suitable; having qualities suited to; either in a good or bad sense; equal in value."

Worthiness means that one is "distinguished by good qualities, entitled to honor or respect on this account, estimable, having a high moral standard, adequate or suitable in respect of moral excellence or noble aims."

Worthiness is a moral virtue. The world places much emphasis on self-esteem. We suggest that if all souls are taught the "good qualities" and high moral standards essential to worthiness, soul-esteem would be automatic, replacing the need to esteem self.

Edna Lister on Worthiness

On the Path of Initiation, the Via Christa, the law repeatedly tests you to see if you are worthy and well qualified.—Edna Lister, January 30, 1933.

Chosen and Elect Ones include all who are found worthy after due weighing in the balance scales of God. Only the Light of God determines whether you are worthy or unworthy.—Edna Lister, October 12, 1938.

To be worthy of the mysteries, you must walk the Master’s Path, becoming Christed in obedience to law.—Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941.

Annually, you must prove yourself as trustworthy for the advances you have already earned.—Edna Lister, May 6, 1941.

All who can sacrifice self are worthy to follow Christ.—Edna Lister, April 11, 1942.

Lukewarmness and neglect in releasing love’s power render you unworthy.—Edna Lister, July 24, 1945.

You must value your own worth, but not overvalue your work. Thus, you realize that there are no great or small in the kingdom.—Edna Lister, July 29, 1945.

Attend to the details, for they are your testing for worthiness to see how well you can direct the Power released through you.—Edna Lister, August 8, 1945.

You are not worthy of the greatness of the All until you can surrender all of the self.—Edna Lister, April 7, 1946.

To live in full worthiness and readiness for the Master’s arrival, you must be constant in self-correction on many details, and in conquering self.—Edna Lister, May 1, 1947.

When you descend from soul to self, you walk in self-made slums. When you walk in the true graciousness and loveliness of Christed consciousness, you never feel a sense of unworthiness because you walk in beauty, gentleness, tenderness, and compassion, which clothe you in Light.—Edna Lister, August 15, 1949.

The only unworthy act before God is thinking or declaring that you or another is unworthy.—Edna Lister, October 12, 1950.

You are unworthy to ascend until your heart’s blood has bathed your feet.—Edna Lister, November 19, 1951.

Only those of upright faith can ever be found worthy to release the greatest Power. This worthiness is found deeply embedded in the heart of soul, to be steadfast enough to hold true.—Edna Lister, February 11, 1952.

Your only unworthy act is to say you are unworthy. Only this matters, you must step one step higher every day. Take inventory and search your soul every night.—Edna Lister, January 12, 1956.

When you think thoughts that are unworthy, you are catering to self. When you think of God, you can no longer think of unworthiness.—Edna Lister, July 16, 1956.

Don’t think about being unworthy. Crawl on your knees to the purifying fires, if necessary, to make yourself worthy.—Edna Lister, November 8, 1956.

Love is worthy unless it is a self-love.—Edna Lister, December 1, 1958.

You are always encountering tempters along the path to strengthen and prove you worthy and well qualified for advance.—Edna Lister, May 15, 1959.

Love is always worthy and lifting. Love is never unworthy, even when it is not returned.—Edna Lister, May 17, 1959.

Love considers no object unworthy of itself, for its one idea is to amalgamate everything. Nothing can resist the amalgamating power of love; it is all cohesion.—Edna Lister, December 18, 1960.

You have no right to judge anyone as worthy or unworthy.—Edna Lister, June 5, 1961.

Belittling yourself is an unworthy act.—Edna Lister, November 5, 1961.

Any thinking that savors of "I am unworthy" in any slightest form is making a mockery of God.—Edna Lister, March 19, 1962.

You challenge yourself when you whine, "Poor little me. I’m not worthy." Say, "Father, You know how I love You. Let Your Light move through me."—Edna Lister, April 11, 1963.

The heavenly Gates are closed to "charge accounts," and open only to worthy, taintless and immovable ascension work.—Edna Lister, March 7, 1965.

We often fill the air with mental malpractice against ourselves. To enter the golden silence, you must stop broadcasting mental propaganda that you are unworthy.—Edna Lister, November 3, 1965.

The place you build in heaven is as great as your lowest thoughts about your worthiness.—Edna Lister, May 22, 1966.

To ascend and surround yourself with Light for o’ershadowing makes you fully worthy, without a taint.—Edna Lister, August 27, 1966.

You cannot call on the Power of the living God without eventually becoming a worthy instrument for Power’s use.—Edna Lister, October 20, 1966.

You must not only know, but live up to your own worth.—Edna Lister, September 8, 1968.

You must make yourself worthy of promotion.—Edna Lister, Opening the 6,000-Year Cycle of the Adamic Civilization, October 29, 1968.

Treatments for a Sense of Worthiness

"Father, now am I Thy worthy and perfect child, ever attaining my soul desires in greater and ascending Degrees."—Edna Lister, January 2, 1945.

"God knows my worth. God knows before I know! When my consciousness grows up to God’s large consciousness, I will know."—Edna Lister, June 23, 1951.

You challenge yourself when you whine, "Poor little me. I’m not worthy." Say, "Father, You know how I love You. Let Your Light move through me."—Edna Lister, April 11, 1963.

A Story That Illustrate Worthiness

Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector: Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus, who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.—Luke 19:1-10.

New Testament on Worthiness

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.—Matthew 10:11-14.

Bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not depend on your spiritual heritage to save you.—Matthew 3:8.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.—Matthew 10:37-38.

The workman is worthy of his meat.—Matthew 10:10.

The labourer is worthy of his hire—Luke 10:7.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.—Luke 21:36.

Worthiness in Other Sacred Literature

Do not reproach a man who turns from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 8:5.