You Don’t Have to Earn God’s Acceptance
By Rick Warren
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Many of us spend our entire lives trying to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our parents, peers, and partners—people we respect, and even people we envy. The desire to be accepted drives us to do all kinds of things. It can influence the kinds of clothes we wear, cars we drive, houses we buy, and careers we choose.
Sometimes people do crazy things to be accepted. A teen who badly wants to fit in might take a risky dare; their desire to be accepted overrules their desire for safety. If you’ve ever played baseball as a kid and teams were chosen, remember how great it felt to be picked by the best player? Remember how bad you felt when you were among the last few chosen?
We love the feeling of being accepted.
Did you know that God has chosen you? The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, “You are a chosen people” (NIV). That should raise your self-esteem! Christ has accepted you—not because you tried hard or because you particularly deserve it. God simply says, “I chose you.”
When you’re part of God’s family, that will never change. No matter what, God will always accept you.
Even if you’ve experienced rejection in your own family, that’s not the way God’s family works. The Bible promises, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10 GW).
You may have accepted Jesus into your life—but have you realized that Christ has accepted you? You don’t have to earn it; you don’t have to prove yourself. You’re accepted by Christ today, tomorrow, and always. No matter what.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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