Are We Unconditionally Accepted By God? And Why Does It Matter?
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154 Some people say that it's a lie that God accepts us as we are and that it means Jesus died in vain or we're say that we don't need to change or grow.
Yet the Bible illustrates God's radical acceptance of us.
In today's episode Emily talks about the importance of God's acceptance and how that doesn't mean we settle but rather is the foundation for our transformation.
In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus illustrates the radical acceptance of the Father. When the younger son has wasted everything and comes metaphorically crawling back, hoping to just be like a servant, his father doesn’t grill him, ask him how he plans to be different, or look at him with suspicion. NO! He runs to him, clothes him, and throws a party for him.
The parable doesn’t tell us anything more about the younger son, but I’m guessing his life was transformed because of this display of love AND acceptance by his father.
Saying that we are accepted, does NOT deny the power of God to transform us. This lets our weary selves fall into his arms. This lets us rest in his grace without wondering if we’ve done enough.
Knowing we are accepted allows us to shed the tough exterior and truly let God love and shine healing into the darkest, most embarrassing parts of our soul. The parts we hide or wish away.
When we perpetuate a message that God’s acceptance is conditional or when God’s people’s acceptance of others is conditional (calling me out too y’all) we make the bar or sporting event a more friendly, loving place.
Love without acceptance is love at arm's length. That’s not how God operates.
I’ll repeat something I said in the clip, God didn’t see you and think “oh I could fix that one up” or “I suppose I could make something out of that one”. NO! He said, “I want YOU. I love you. You are welcome.”
He sees you and wants relationship with you. He likes you, not just your potential.
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