Today, I’m telling you that God accepts you.
No one enjoys feeling shut out; being on the outside, looking in. Everyone enjoys having friends, people to share life with.
Likewise, people love to have their accomplishments recognized and appreciated. It feels good to accomplish something as an individual and as part of a team.
[Listen to this message on Rumble and Brighteon.
Duration: 11 min, 51 seconds]
Still, I must remind you that…
Rejection is Real.
Perhaps you have some characteristic or circumstance that causes people to look down on you. No one seems to care what you think. No one wants you on their team. Endless possibilities exist for rejection. But today, I want you to know that you’re accepted!
You might feel that, regardless of what you do, you can’t convince people to let you into their circle.
Right now, I want to remind you of your value. God wants you. If you come to Him, He will accept you.
Jesus recognizes you as valuable.
You don’t have to do or be something special: Jesus makes you worthy to enter God’s presence.
In other words,
You are Qualified.
Have you ever received mail that tells you you’re qualified to receive a special offer or a credit card?
To get one of those offers, a marketing company found you in a consumer database. Their screening process identified you as a potential customer.
In most cases, not everyone who receives an offer actually qualifies for it. Credit card companies know that. So, before they accept you, they verify your qualifications..
If you apply for a job, your potential employer will, most likely, verify your credentials.
In society, people form exclusive groups known as cliques. If you don’t qualify, the people in the clique won’t even consider you. They won’t let you in.
I can’t help you qualify for a loan or a job. I can’t vouch for you so that a clique will let you in.
But I can tell you about…
God’s offer to you.
You are qualified for the most wonderful group in the world: The Saints of God.
I don’t have to check your credit score or your background. I guarantee that you are qualified to receive God’s grace.
Here’s what the Bible says:
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…
Titus 2:11
Regardless of who you are, where you live, what’s you’ve done, what you have, or your socioeconomic status, you are qualified to become a king and priest with God (Revelation 1:6).
You’re qualified to receive forgiveness, a fresh start, abundance, and blessings. You’re also qualified to receive everlasting life in Heaven with God.
You don’t have to wonder if God’s offer fits you: He’s making you a…
Customized offer.
He knows who you are.
His blood can wash away your sin. His grace can guide you in your circumstances. His favor can help you fulfill your divine purpose.
You are special to Him.
The Bible promises that
Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:21
That word, “whosoever” includes you.
You are qualified to receive blessings from God, but…
It’s your choice,
…whether to call on Him. You are qualified, but no one will force you to receive his offer.
It’s kind of like if you received a credit card offer. You would have to respond to that offer before you can enjoy any of its benefits.
Similarly, you must respond to God’s offer.
God wants to save you. He wants to make you His child. You are qualified. But He won’t force you to accept Him.
You must respond to the invitation.
Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17
You must consciously decide to accept Jesus as your Saviour.
Whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
You also must acknowledge your need. The Bible says,
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
1 Timothy 1:15
If you don’t recognize yourself as a sinner, you tell God, “I don’t need your offer.”
I want you to know that God’s offer of salvation is amazing, but it is…
An offer you can refuse.
You can become a child of God, enjoy God’s blessings, receive eternal life, and escape God’s wrath and Hell. Who could pass that up?
Many people do.
In Jesus’ words, this is
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:14
Jesus also tells us that many people love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). In other words, People believe what they already have is better than what Jesus offers.
I’m telling you that some people have the right qualifications to receive God’s salvation. But they don’t want it. They don’t agree to God’s terms.
If you’ve ever signed up for a website, the website might ask you to accept their terms and conditions.
That’s how God works. If you don’t accept His terms and conditions, you can walk away.
Similarly, you can choose to accept…
God’s terms
…you will become part of His family.
From what I have already said, you might realize that some people never will receive God‘s salvation.
The Bible says, in Matthew, Chapter 22, Verse 14,
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Matthew 22:14
But, Jesus also says,
Many… will seek to enter in, and shall not be able…
Luke 13:24
If you try to come to God, but don’t accept his terms, God won’t save you, even though you are qualified.
Here’s something else you need to know about God’s offer of salvation:
It’s time sensitive.
Most special offers don’t last forever. You must accept them before they expire.
God’s offer works the same way. You can’t expect Him to save you on your timetable. You must accept Him now.
Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Moving on, I want to tell you some good news. If you respond to God’s offer…
You are accepted!
That’s right.
Accepting God’s salvation isn’t like applying for college or a loan. You don’t have to wonder if you’re accepted or when you will receive the notice.
Jesus accepts you on the spot.
Ephesians Chapter One, Verse Six says that Jesus
Hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:6
When you accept God’s offer of salvation, you belong to an exclusive club. You have a seat at the table.
It’s your seat.
You belong. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Imagine a meeting of powerful men and women, maybe the Federal Reserve board. Now, imagine you walking into their meeting. They wouldn’t accept you there. They wouldn’t let you sit down. You don’t belong.
Recently, the President appointed a new justice to the Supreme Court. Without his approval and that of the Senate, no one can sit among that elite group.
I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. Only a few people will ever achieve a position with the Federal Reserve, Supreme Court, or any other elite organization.
But God gives you something better. He…
Hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:6
When you accept salvation, God accepts you. He gives you a higher status than anything the world offers.
As part of God’s family, you have access to…
Exclusive benefits.
In ways similar to familiar organizations, membership in God’s family gives you access to special privileges. Think about the benefits you receive from your employer, AARP, the NRA, or your health insurance: God gives you a lot more!
To begin with, he becomes
A loving ally.
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
God’s happy with you. He’s excited about you. When He thinks about you, He sings. When you face obstacles and adversaries, God will fight for you.
As part of God’s family, you have…
Direct access to God.
You have a place among the righteous. You are the chosen.
Jesus, the Son of God gives you access to the Father. God’s Holy Spirit now intercedes on your behalf with “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
Another benefit of God‘s salvation is
Eternal Life.
In the natural, everyone dies. God doesn’t change that reality when you get saved.
However, God does change your disposition for the world to come.
Where you once were destined to God’s wrath and receive eternal torment in Hell (Revelation 20:15), God now gives you everlasting life in Heaven with Him.
This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1 John 2:25
In both this life and the next, God has exalted you to…
Royal status.
You have royal blood. You have royal DNA.
What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:
1 John 3:1
Your relationship with Jesus puts you in line to rule the world. The Bible says that Jesus has…
Made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 5:10
I have said all this to let you know that you belong. You’re part of the most privileged, most empowered, most elite group in the universe: The redeemed.
Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Peter 2:9
Yes. You are accepted!