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Tuesday, June 1, 2021

I Don’t Need to Earn God’s Acceptance

In 1 Peter 2:9 I read, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)


It seems at times I spend my life trying to earn acceptance. I want to earn it from my parents, peers, and partners, people we respect, and even people we envy. The desire to be accepted drives me to do all kinds of things. It can influence the kinds of clothes I wear, the car I drive, the house I buy, and the career I choose.


Sometimes people do crazy things to be accepted. A teen who badly wants to fit in might take a risky dare; their desire to be accepted overrules their desire for safety. When playing baseball as a kid and teams were chosen, remember how great it felt to be picked by the best player? Remember how bad you felt when you were among the last few chosen?


We love the feeling of being accepted.


I need to remember that God has chosen me? The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, “You are a chosen people” (NIV). This should raise my self-esteem! Christ has accepted me, not because I tried hard or because I deserve it. God simply says, “I chose you.”


As part of God’s family, that will never change. No matter what, God will always accept me.


Even if I experienced rejection in my own family, that’s not the way God’s family works. The Bible promises, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10 GW).


I have accepted Jesus into my life, but do I really realize that Christ has accepted me? I don’t have to earn it; I don’t have to prove myself. I’m accepted by Christ today, tomorrow, and always. No matter what.


In summary, I’ve been chosen by God to be part of his royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, so that I may declare the praises of him who called me out of darkness into his wonderful light. It seems at times I spend my life trying to earn acceptance. The desire to be accepted drives me to do all kinds of things. I love the feeling of being accepted. However, I need to remember that God has chosen me and he accepts me as I am. This should raise my self-esteem! Christ has accepted me, not because I tried hard or because I deserve it. God simply says, “I chose you.” As part of God’s family, that will never change. No matter what, God will always accept me. I have accepted Jesus into my life, but do I really realize that Christ has accepted me? I don’t have to earn it; I don’t have to prove myself. I’m accepted by Christ today, tomorrow, and always. No matter what.


With Christ's victory on the cross, I can come directly into God's presence without fear, and I am given the responsibility of bringing others to him as well. When I'm united with Christ as a member of his body, I join in his priestly work of reconciling God and people. My relationship with Christ is far more important than my job, successes, wealth, or even knowledge. I have been chosen by God as his very own, and I have been called to represent him to others. My value comes from being one of God's children, and not from what I can achieve. I have worth because of what God does, not because of what I do. 


Father, I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. I want to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. Father, help remind me that I am yours and nothing can change that. You have accepted me as I am and want me to partner with you in bringing others into a relationship with you.


I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my preparation for my new future job, and finishing well in my old one. I ask these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

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