How Does Jesus Make You Acceptable to God?

by Rick Warren — September 25, 2020

“For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God’s plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation.”

1 Corinthians 1:30 (TLB)

Most people spend their entire lives trying to be accepted.

You may wear the clothes you wear or drive the car you drive because you want to be accepted. The friends you choose, the food you eat, and what you say on the Internet are often motivated by a massive need for acceptance.

But, friend, you’re already accepted by the God who created you.

“For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God’s plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation” (1 Corinthians 1:30 TLB).

You didn’t earn God’s acceptance. God freely gave it to you. He alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. And Jesus is the one who made you acceptable to God.

How did Jesus make you acceptable to God? Well, first, here’s the age-old problem: God is perfect, and people are not. So how could a perfect God let imperfect people into a perfect place called heaven? Something had to happen.

God took care of the problem. He came to Earth as a man in the form of Jesus Christ and died for your sin. This is called grace, redemption, or being rescued by God. The theological term is justification, where God makes you clean and perfect in his eyes, no matter what you’ve done.

God sent his Son to die for you so that you would be acceptable to him. So, if God has accepted you, why do you need the approval of other people? One of the most liberating things in life is to finally believe that you don’t need other people’s approval to be accepted and to be happy.

You are chosen, you are loved, and you are accepted. Let this truth lead you into a joyful, purpose-filled life.

Talk It Over

  • Do you feel accepted by God? Why or why not?
  • How does knowing God accepts you help you fulfill your purpose?
  • What are some Bible verses that can encourage you when you start to think God can’t accept you?

How to join God’s family

The Bible says all people fall short of God’s perfect standard. Yet God still loves you—even though you sin and you’re flawed. In fact, God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to cleanse you from your sins and to bring you into the family of God.

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know that when I die I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from the sins and the habits that are messing up my life right now. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly and certainly and completely and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at [email protected]. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.


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