Acceptance
I’m putting my head around a thought…does God like us? We live in the time of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But, with that knowledge do we feel that we have to gain God’s acceptance through our actions and behaviors. Does he like us?
The Love of God
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” I John 4:9
The love of God was demonstrated beautifully toward us in that He sent His Son Jesus Christ….why…that we might live through him.
“We love him because he first loved us.” I John 4:19
Do you ever wonder on what basis God loves us?
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. I this was manifest the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the word, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4: 7-10
God loves us because that is who he is. God likes us because of Jesus Christ. Right standing with God can only come through Jesus Christ. He is the only one who has merited God’s complete acceptance because of His finished work on the cross….on our behalf. We can draw close to God because of the finished work on the cross.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Wh needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:25-27
Because of Jesus we have peace with God
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom we also have access by faith unto his grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” Romans 5:1-5
It is completely through Christ that we can draw near to God
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
Now we can boldly draw near to God
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Then What is the ‘work‘ we need to do in light of Salvation through Christ?
Believe.
“Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:28
“What shall we say then that Abraham our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by his works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4
Acceptance through Relationship Our only hope is through faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
God was satisfied by the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ on our behalf…all we have to do is believe. We have been forgiven completely through the work of Christ…what are we now told to do actually. Love God and love others.
“What shall we say to these things if God be fore us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
God doesn’t require us to do any thing to earn salvation, it’s a free gift through Jesus Christ. He doesn’t accept us more if we strive to work for his love. He already gave that to us. Isn’t that a joyful thought. What then now…how shall we live? We should live in peace, joy and understanding. We should strive to love God all the more and to love others. We are fully and completely accepted by God – adopted in through Jesus Christ. As a result of this we should fill our hearts and minds with His love.
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and the length, and the depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” Ephesians 3:17-19
“And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Live each day in the joy and knowledge that not only does God love you, but through Jesus Christ he likes you. Live each day then emulating that love towards Him and towards others. Through Jesus Christ you are fully loved and fully accepted by God the Father.