We hear so much about acceptance, tolerance, inclusivity, and all that jazz. It seems everyone has a standard of how those things should look. Well, I’m going to with God’s version of it and borrow a bit from our Easter message. Once again, hat tip to Pastor Russ! We covered a lot, including a full reading of Matthew 26-28, so I’m going to go with the cliff notes’ version. First, let’s set the tone with a song — one we also used to begin our Sunday service.
If we are considering real acceptance when it comes to God, then we are talking reconciliation to God. It comes on God’s terms, not ours. We may fancy the thought of creating our own standards, living our own way, and choosing our own path to a heaven of our own making. However, our own thoughts, no matter how fanciful, are still fantasy! Here’s a definition of acceptance: regarded favorably, given approval, fully received. You know who is the only one God accepts in this way? You probably heard about Him a lot this past weekend. Yup, His name is Jesus. Since Jesus is the only one regarded favorably, given approval, and fully received, then it makes sense that He (the Son) would be the only way to the Father! Let’s look at what God’s acceptance includes:
To be known like you have never been known
To be understood like you have never been understood
To be welcomed like you have never been welcomed
To be made to belong like you have never belonged
To be listened to like you have never been listened to
To be protected like you have never been protected
To be loved like you have never been loved
Sounds nice huh? Have you ever known a human being to fulfill even one of these areas perfectly? Well, God fulfills ALL of them perfectly!
So, what’s the process of God’s acceptance? Thanks for asking. We covered a lot of scripture talking about this, so I will just include the references and links for you to look up.
The process of God’s acceptance ( Ephesians 1:3-4 )
The Son accepts His role ( Philippians 2:5-11 )
The Son accepts our sin ( Isaiah 53:4-6 & Isaiah 53:10a )
The Son accepts our penalty ( Luke 22:41-44 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 )
The Father accepts the Son’s offering ( Isaiah 53:11-12 & Hebrews 1:8-13 )
The Father accepts us absolutely and perfectly in His Son ( 1 John 2:2 & Ephesians 1:4 )
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Do you see any part of that process which includes something we did? Well, other than all the sin we brought to the table. The penalty for our sin, which we deserved, was instead accepted by Jesus. When we recognize this, and cling to the fact that Jesus stuck to His role, then we can accept part of our role — praising Him!
The Father accepts our praise ( Jude 24-25 )
If you still feel your version of acceptance is superior to God’s, I don’t know what to tell you. I guess enjoy the praise you can get from your fellow man and the exaltation from your fellow sinners during your time on this earth. Unfortunately, you’re not going to find God as eager to lift you up once your time runs out, so there’s that. Maybe you should reconsider and seek some real acceptance…from God!