You are Accepted!

Twentieth-century theologian Paul Tillich penned an essay titled, “You are Accepted.” Those three life-altering words are in the context of our relationship with God and essential to our spiritual experience and awareness.

It is our tendency to banish ourselves from the presence of God because of our sins, failures, and shortcomings. Instead of the freedom Christ offers, we live in bondage to fear and the preoccupation in our minds of falling short of the glory of God and being ultimately rejected by God.

In Luke seven verse forty-seven; the Pharisees are scandalized when Jesus forgives Mary Magdala. “I tell you, her sins–and they are many–have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only a little love.” The religious leaders could not receive the teachings of forgiveness and love even though they needed it just as much or even more than her.

The words, you are accepted, should ring loud and clear in our ears as followers of Christ. Accept the fact of God’s adoption as sons and daughters despite how much you run and separate yourself from Christ’s love. I need it; you need it and let that reality “you are accepted” transform your life. You and I are loved by Christ and destined to be heirs of the Kingdom. You are Accepted!

Romans 5:20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

Paul Tillich,”The Shaking of the Foundations” published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in 1948.