Acceptance

 Romans 5:1 ESV

 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 


Most people assume that they should try and earn God's acceptance. Many people think they should try and justify themselves. They're on a fool's errand.

The Apostle Paul makes clear that we're justified by faith, not faith plus works. Salvation is 100% of the Lord: we must believe in him, not in ourselves.

If we trust in Christ crucified, we have peace with God. We're no longer his enemies. We're accepted by him.

We have such a dim view of our sinfulness that the amazingness of this verse is lost on us. It's astounding that the Holy God would accept evildoers like us in Christ crucified. We don't need to be all conflicted, we can be at peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

'Holy God, we worship you for being both just and the justifier of the ungodly, in Christ crucified. Please give us the faith we need in him, in whose name we pray, amen'. 

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