Based on What?

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 (King James Version)

At first glance, this verse appears to be saying that God’s acceptance of me is based on my works for Him. I can look back to over 30 years of my Christian life whereby I thought that God’s acceptance of me was based on my performance and good deeds. If I did well, I felt acceptable to Him. If I failed, I felt unacceptable to Him. Understand, I did not base my salvation on my works. I knew Christ paid the penalty for my sin on Calvary and hence my salvation was not something I could earn. I knew I would spend eternity in Heaven with Him because of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Yet, I lived with an uneasiness as to how He viewed me as His child. Toleration at best and dislike at worst. It was the foundational lie upon which I built my legalistic faith walk. When that is the case, there is no peace, no joy, no rest.

It is imperative that we see the meaning of the words we read in the Bible. It helps to take key words and see what they mean in the original language. The Greek word for accepted is euarestos and it means well pleasing and acceptable. With that in mind, look at how this verse reads in the New Living Translation: “So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body.” When I see it worded that way, I am made aware of the fact that my actions are to please God, which is far removed from thinking I have to work for God’s acceptance and approval.

When it comes to God’s view of me, I must remember to separate His view of me and His view of my actions, motives, attitudes, thoughts, and words. I am accepted through Christ, my Savior (John 1:12). My behavior is either pleasing or displeasing to Him depending on whether or not it is aligned with His desire and will. Because of Christ, I will always be accepted by God. When my actions displease Him, it is necessary for me to confess and repent the wrong and move forward in obedience. It is for His pleasure not His acceptance.

This is a pivotal truth for me as it helps me to see that I really am accepted by God. His view of me is one of approval and affirmation. While He is not always pleased with what I do, He delights in me as His daughter and in that I am free to live life to the fullest!

Father, Your view of me is becoming clearer to me and is replacing the distortions of the faulty belief system I can easily embrace if I am not careful. I joy in what I am seeing! Amen.

Friend of God - Phillips, Craig, & Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMnMN08sv4k

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.