Accept His Acceptance

By Mark Swegar

Did you ever experience one of those school bullies who seemed to need to harass everybody? They were never happy unless they were the center of attention and causing trouble. Come to think of it, they were never happy at all, but they sure strutted a lot. Then you meet them again at your 10-year high school reunion, and they suddenly seem smaller and unimpressive. So why were they so obnoxious back then? Quite simply, they didn’t know they are valuable and loved. When someone knows who they are (in Christ), there is no driving need to be the center of attention, because “His grace is sufficient for me.” But not knowing your value drives you to seek that value. If you don’t seek it in Christ, you will seek it in other persons, in promiscuity, in education, or in the biggest house and the priciest car. The list goes on and on, but the bottom line is simple: everybody wholeheartedly seeks for meaning and value, and everybody finds it… somewhere. We are driven, like dogs to meat. Our security is only as strong (or as weak) as where we find it. If we try to find it in possessions, in drugs, or in our spouse, we will be disappointed, because none of these things or people can save us. Only Christ can save us, therefore our security and worth and value must come from Jesus.

So why does Jesus love us? Doesn’t He know just how bad we’ve been? Of course He does. That’s how powerful His love really is. He knows every vile thing we’ve ever done or will do, and still chooses to love us. That’s because His grace is bigger than our sins. It’s all about Him, not all about us.

In one parable, a shepherd leaves 99 sheep to find one lost lamb, and when reunited he celebrates with all 100 sheep. That was some valuable lamb! Jesus the Good Shepherd has searched for us our whole lives. Let’s stop thinking He can’t or won’t forgive us and start focusing on His great love that gives us this priceless value. We’re not just accepted, rather we are acceptable. We’re not simply loved, but we are also lovable! We must not try to repay it or argue whether we’re worthy. We can’t add to it, but just receive it… and then give it away. When we carry God’s abundant love and acceptance, there is always extra to give away. Then we with God will teach those around us that He finds them valuable, acceptable, and lovable too.

Peter and Paul said it this way: “Always give a gentle and respectful answer to everyone who asks you about your hope… for God wants all to be saved and to intimately know Christ.” 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Timothy 2:4

May God bless us with abundant experiential knowledge of His overflowing acceptance and love.

Mark Swegar writes from Medford, Oregon.