Why do we struggle to accept how much God loves us? In my mind’s eye, the answer is in the question. One key component that changes everything! Acceptance.
Love vs Acceptance
Love is not the same thing as acceptance. And acceptance is not the same thing as love. You’ve more than likely experienced someone say they love you, but the last thing you feel is accepted by them. It’s like you hear the words coming out of their mouth, I love you! But just about everything else screams – You’re not acceptable!
And so I’m convinced that believing you are loved is virtually impossible apart from acceptance. Likewise, I’m convinced that understanding and enjoying how much God loves us is virtually impossible apart from acceptance.
I used to struggle with God’s love. I felt disconnected from his love. As if his love for me was mandatory. Impersonal. Like God loved me because he had to, not because he wanted to. This type of thinking left me feeling frozen inside. Believing I was immune to the warmth of his love.
But then, in the fall of 2009, as I was reading Classic Christianity by Bob George, the following sentence rocked my world. “Love becomes practically meaningless apart from acceptance.” Yes! That’s exactly how I feel inside.
Apart From Acceptance
At that moment, the Spirit of God revealed that I had been living apart from acceptance. There was a whole love vs acceptance war raging inside my heart and mind. I would try to connect with God’s love. But inside my head, the dialog would always end up with God being disappointed in me.
Father, if I were only more…
And then I’d fill the blank with a million different ways I believed God was disappointed in me. If only I were more patient. Self-controlled. Fruitful. More. Always more. And the Enemy of my heart would win another round as I would land, once again, disassociated from God’s love. Because apart from acceptance, love doesn’t connect. Apart from acceptance, we’re never going to get how much God loves us.
Acceptance Affirms by Affirming
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For your benefit God made him (Jesus) to be wisdom itself. Christ made you right with God; he made you pure and holy, and he freed you from sin.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 emphasis mine
There’s a rule of logic called the modus ponens. In Latin, modus ponens means – the way that affirms by affirming. The argument looks like this.
If A, then B.
A. Therefore, B.
God has used this simple yet profound argument to convince me of God’s love by first convincing me of his acceptance. So, it sounds like this…
If unconditionally accepted, then unconditionally loved.
Unconditionally accepted. Therefore, unconditionally loved.
Bottom line, you are loved and accepted.
This is How Much God Loves You
Dear friend, in Christ, you are unconditionally accepted. Meaning regardless of your story. Regardless of your past struggles or present struggles. Regardless of what people have told you or the wounds of your soul tempt you to think. In Christ, you are accepted. You are acceptable.
Now here’s the thing, it’s not our morality that makes us acceptable. We are acceptable because God declares us to be acceptable. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us. A gift of Grace
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Romans 3:22
So remember…
If A, then B.
A. Therefore, B.
If unconditionally accepted, then unconditionally loved.
Unconditionally accepted. Therefore, unconditionally loved.
So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give. Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over them—“Not guilty!” Who then is left to condemn us? Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One! For he gave his life for us, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn us since he is continually praying for our triumph? Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us.” Romans 8:31-35
This is how much God loves you! Say it with me, I am loved and accepted.
Loved & Accepted, Breathe It In
I can’t begin to tell you how much I want you to know and enjoy how much God loves you. God’s affection for you transforms everything! Now breathe it in!
You are loved and accepted. Remember…
If I am unconditionally accepted, then I’m unconditionally loved.
I am unconditionally accepted. Therefore, I am unconditionally loved.
Take an even deeper breath – read out loud the following verses personalized for you. But before you do, pray and ask the Spirit of God to reveal this powerful truth to you. Ask him to connect the dots. To renew your mind. To plant your feet and take ownership of this amazing truth – you are loved and accepted.
So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with me, tell me, who then could ever stand against me? For God has proved his love by giving me his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for me, he certainly won’t withhold from me anything else he has to give. Who then would dare to accuse me whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over me—“Not guilty!” Who then is left to condemn me? Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One! For he gave his life for me, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn me since he is continually praying for my triumph? Who could ever divorce me from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward me.” Romans 8:31-35 personalized
May God’s acceptance connect you to the warmth of his love today and every day. Say it with me one more time, I am loved and accepted.
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Thanks for stopping by! Until we meet again, remember – Trusting in Jesus, you’ll have more treasure than pockets. From my heart to yours,
