How can God accept us? Paul explains this in his letter to the Romans in chapter three. First, Paul says that we all sin. He then quotes multiple verses to show that Scripture consistently shows us this. Our sin separates us from God, but we resist and ignore Him. We may try to deceive and work against God’s way. We often only acknowledge God when we are in trouble because we have gone our own way. This can all be summarized as we do not love God with all our hearts, soul, and minds.
False versus True Solutions
Paul tells us that we must look to Jesus and His work on the cross for our salvation. Romans 3: 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.[1]
God’s solution sounds too good to be true, so we may try to figure out something else. The following are some human solutions contrasted with God’s solutions:
- We may deny there is a God or create our own god out of something or someone. God wants us to recognize that faith and trust in Jesus Christ are the answer to our problems.
- We may live in guilt, punishing ourselves or masking the guilt behind alcohol and drugs. God desires that we accept His gracious gift of forgiveness and believe in His love.
- We may use religion (works, church attendance, or rituals) as a substitute for faith, loving God, and obeying Him. God wants us to realize He will declare us not guilty because of what Jesus did on the cross. Trusting Jesus is the only way to remove our guilt.
- We may assume or vaguely hope that God will save us anyway. If we do this, we miss the opportunity to live in the freedom provided by faith in Jesus. God wants us to obey and do good works out of thanksgiving for what Jesus has done, not to earn His acceptance.
- Finally, we may conclude that God is too demanding and live in despair or apathy. But if we humbly accept that Jesus’ substitution for us accomplished what we could not have done for ourselves, we can live in joy.[2]
God Accepts Us Because of Our Faith in Jesus
Paul told the Romans that God’s solution was faith in Jesus regardless of their background or past behavior. It is the same for us today. Faith in Jesus means putting our confidence in Him to forgive our sins and to empower us to live the way He taught us. (quote) Faith in Jesus Christdoesn’t mean we understand everything Christ has done for us, but it does mean that we believe he has done everything for us![3]
How can God accept us? To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/believe-good-news
[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
[2] Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., & Wilson, N. S. (1992). Romans (p. 72). Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Ibid, p. 74.