ON BEING ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

By Barry Shaw

A child experiences great pain when he believes that a parent doesn’t approve of him. For many years before I accepted Jesus Christ, I struggled with the belief that no matter what I did or achieved, my father didn’t approve of me. At least he never told me so. I don’t say this to defame my father. On the contrary, as I ponder my relationship with him many years later, I have nothing but love and respect for him for I know now that he did the best he knew how.

Looking back at my youthful struggle to obtain the acceptance of others, I have come to the realization that seeking the approval of men is chasing after the wind! (Ecclesiastes 1:14) No matter what a man does, he will not be totally acceptable or approved by men. For humanity is naturally sinful and self-centered (Romans 1:18-32) and unable to give love or acceptance as our heavenly Father does.

God is the only Person from Whom we should seek acceptance. “Therefore, I urge you, brethren...to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 The Apostle Paul further wrote: “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Jesus Christ is my Savior. Once I confessed with my mouth that He is Lord and believed in my heart that He died for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead, I knew that He accepted me totally, without condition - just as I was and am (Romans 10:9,10). He knows all of my sins, my indiscretions, my faults and imperfections. He sees the true condition of my soul. He knows my mind. Yet, He accepts me as His child. Above all, He loves me! Knowing that I have the love of Jesus and that I am saved for eternity gives me a broad perspective and the courage to speak the truth before men even though doing so risks their wrath. Now I can love others whether they accept me or not. Knowing this gives me great peace.

In his Imitation of Christ (translated by William C. Creasy), Thomas A’ Kempis wrote as if Jesus were speaking: “Your peace does not depend on what other people say; whether they think well or ill of you, you remain the same person. Where is true peace and true glory? Is it not in Me [Jesus]? The person who has no wish to please others - nor who is afraid to displease them - will enjoy great peace...”

Lord, “Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight...” Psalm 19:14

Barry Shaw writes from Applegate Valley, Oregon.