Why God Accepts You (2)

 '...Approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him...' 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP      

    

I love the words approved and acceptable in 2 Corinthians 5. We don't have to do anything to be valuable to God. That concept is hard to grasp sometimes. The world tells us that our value is connected to our 'doing'. Growing up, we're constantly compared. I can remember my parents asking why I wasn't doing as well as my brother; for you it may have been brother or sister. I can remember feeling that I was doing my best. So in the beginning I resolved to try harder, but no matter how hard I tried, someone still wasn't satisfied. I bet you can relate to what I'm saying. We were still getting the message, 'Something's wrong with you.' This leaves us burned out, confused and turned off. It drives many of us into counselling, when all we need is the assurance of God's unconditional love! Your wrong behaviors won't be changed until you know you're loved by God apart from what you do. And that's what Jesus made possible through the cross. Why is this important to believe? Because until you know who you are in Christ, you'll stumble along believing that your acceptance with God is performancebased. Your acceptance with God is based on performance, but not yours - Christ's! Jesus loves you unconditionally and is committed to working with you. And the best part is, He doesn't condemn you while He's doing it! He understands your temperament, your struggles, and even the faulty foundation upon which you've based your selfworth. He not only understands - He cares. Once you enter into a personal relationship with Christ He begins a process of relieving your pain, revealing your true value, and releasing your gifts. Bit by bit, He restores everything Satan has stolen from you. And while all this is happening, you are positioned securely 'in Christ'. Therefore you're always acceptable to Him. Isn't that incredible! I'm glad you are on this path with Amy and I. You are loved!