Approved of God

It is tragic that many believers are driven by the same mindset of the unconverted – they think they can earn God’s acceptance through their works. While many understand that it is “not through works we have done” in regards to positional righteousness, they still believe that their works will impress God in place of practical righteousness. The scripture says that there is no respect of persons with God – but the believer finds His respect by the virtue of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and our identification with Him.

(Eph 1:3-6) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."

It is a fact that no man could ever earn God’s acceptance. However, it is essential that believers carefully study the scriptures in order to understand what life choices, and avenues of service, would be pleasing to God. (2 Tim 2:15) "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The scriptures must be “rightly divided” in order to discover the means and ways a believer can acceptably demonstrate his “approved” status before God.

For example; we live in the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3) and not under the Mosaic Law (Romans 6:14). There is nothing found in the law, applied in this dispensation, that God would ever approve of. The Law is not made for a righteous man (1 Timothy 1:9) and any message that would imply otherwise is an “accursed” gospel (Galatians 1). We are to live our lives rooted in the indwelling life of the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20). It is not our life but His. This truth is found in the writings of the Apostle Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles. He revealed the preaching of Jesus Christ according to “the revelation of the mystery” as opposed to the Hebrew, prophesied Gospel of the Kingdom. Two messages and two programs, both vastly different in content and application, and when they are intermingled produce confusion and defeat.

Let’s purpose to live according to our new identity “in Christ” and demonstrate our “acceptance in the beloved” as we study, and apply, the Word of truth “rightly divided.”