Day 10: Acceptance
Introduction
“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” Hebrews 11:4
From infancy, we all want to be accepted. Little ones often mimic the behaviors of those who care for them in an attempt to gain attention and affection, desiring to be accepted. Older children and teens might try to please parents, teachers, or friends by saying or doing whatever gains them approval. Some of us get so caught up in the pursuit of love and acceptance that we find ourselves doing things that we regret.
The sad thing is that in the end, we discover that social acceptance doesn't fully satisfy us. It's temporary and inadequate. What we really want; what we so desperately need is acceptance from God. The only problem is that we know we aren't acceptable. The attitudes in our hearts and frequently our actions, too, evidence that we have rejected God's ways and our human logic tells us that for this, we deserve God's rejection. What are we to do?
And because of our great need and God’s immeasurable love, He sent Jesus. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 The great exchange of the gospel is that Jesus suffered the consequences of our sins so that we might receive His righteousness before God. Righteousness means you are right with God; you are accepted. It means that now when God looks at you, He is pleased with you.