An older man, a dear friend, once said to me that what all people seek and desire is acceptance and to be loved. And to be sure all people seek acceptance- and so at times we “perform” on our “best behavior” or at times say and do things that are not honorable so that others may accept us and indeed love us. But no matter how hard we try, in the end there is always someone who will not accept us who will not love us unconditionally, and so the pursuit goes on, desiring and pursuing acceptance and love. Even with a “god,” many of us have made up in our own minds or that has been passed on to us from others, always trying to please, but never good enough. But we are looking in the wrong place. “But God…” who uniquely made each of us, knows us intimately, created us for Himself that in Him we may find what we long for and be able to rest in Him, peace in our heart, But SIN is the barrier that is offensive to Him and there is nothing in and of ourselves or the “god” of our own imagination, or society can satisfy or reconcile us. “But God…”sent forth His Son that He who knew no sin became sin that we may become the righteousness of God in Christ. We exchange our sin for the righteousness of Jesus Christ which takes place the moment we turn to God and submit to Jesus Christ receiving His Work on our behalf! We are instantaneously reconciled to God who alone who can meet the deep need of our heart! In Him we find true acceptance and love! When we are in a right relationship with God through the LORD Jesus Christ and based on His Word we find true acceptance with God and know the Love of God for us.
And as a result instead of habitually seeking acceptance and love we are able to extend acceptance and love to others.
Instead of seeking to GET, we become more and more a people who seek to GIVE to others!
Acceptance with God is based on the Blood of Jesus Christ. His righteous life and sacrificial death to satisfy the justice of God, so that sinful people who repent towards God and entrust themselves to Jesus Christ, His life, death and resurrection may be accepted by God, adopted into His family, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son- the LORD Jesus Christ.
Acceptance with God means we are now by His Grace -Forgiven- Adopted into His family- Accepted by Him- and not just a new position but new power to live out a New spiritual life!
Our acceptance with God is not based on our performance- which is sinful- But accepted based on the flawless performance- perfect sinless sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ. We are free from the penalty of sin, the rule of satan, and free from the wrath of God, no longer an enemy in whom the wrath of God abides on, but Justified, forever standing in the favor of God, we are now in the family of God, not based on self righteousness, or our own works but on the work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Look to Him, celebrate Him!
Today, “In Christ,” you are…
“ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED…” {Ephesians 1:6}
God bless
Aidan,