Accepted by God Through Christ
Adapted from Strength for Each Day
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
If you are like most people, you want to be accepted. When people hear that they have been accepted to a certain school or organization, they often become very excited. Something about being accepted makes us feel confident and good about ourselves.
Today’s scripture reminds us that when we believe in Jesus Christ and trust Him as our Savior, we are not condemned. In other words, we are accepted. We don’t have to work to be accepted. In fact, we can’t earn God’s favor or acceptance through good works or through any human effort.
People who believe that God’s acceptance is based on good works or on doing everything perfectly struggle and feel condemned because they try to behave perfectly and cannot do it. Everyone makes mistakes. But no matter how many mistakes we make, if our hearts are pure toward God and we sincerely repent, He forgives us.
When we believe in God’s Son and acknowledge Him as our Savior, we can be sure of God’s unconditional love and acceptance. Love and acceptance are not based on anything we do or don’t do. They are based on what Jesus has already done by dying for our sins.
Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. Because I believe in Him as my Savior, I know that You love and accept me completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.
