Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of God accepting individuals is a profound theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His grace, love, and mercy towards humanity. This acceptance is not based on human merit but on God's character and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament FoundationsIn the Old Testament, God's acceptance is often linked to His covenant relationship with His people. For instance, in
Genesis 15:6, it is written, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This passage highlights that faith, rather than works, is the basis of acceptance by God. The sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law also points to the need for atonement and reconciliation with God, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
The Psalms frequently express the theme of seeking God's acceptance.
Psalm 19:14 states, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Here, the psalmist desires that his inner thoughts and outward expressions align with God's will, seeking divine approval.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament reveals the fullness of God's acceptance through Jesus Christ. In
Ephesians 1:6 , Paul writes, "to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One." This verse underscores that acceptance by God is a gift of grace, bestowed through Christ, the "Beloved One."
Romans 5:8 further illustrates this truth: "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God's acceptance is demonstrated through the sacrificial death of Jesus, which reconciles sinners to Himself. This acceptance is not contingent upon human righteousness but is an act of divine love and grace.
Faith and AcceptanceFaith is the means by which individuals receive God's acceptance.
Hebrews 11:6 declares, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is essential for pleasing God and being accepted by Him.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in
Romans 3:22-24 : "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Here, justification and acceptance are presented as gifts of grace, accessible through faith in Christ.
Living in God's AcceptanceLiving in the reality of God's acceptance involves a transformed life. In
2 Corinthians 5:17 , Paul writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" Acceptance by God leads to a new identity and a call to live according to His purposes.
Believers are encouraged to offer themselves as living sacrifices, as stated in
Romans 12:1 : "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This response to God's acceptance is a life of worship and obedience.
Assurance of AcceptanceThe assurance of God's acceptance is a source of comfort and confidence for believers. In
John 6:37 , Jesus assures, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out." This promise affirms the security of those who are accepted by God through Christ.
The Apostle John also provides assurance in 1
John 3:1 : "Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God—and that is what we are!" Being accepted by God means being part of His family, a status that is both a privilege and a testament to His love.
In summary, the biblical theme of God accepting individuals is rooted in His grace and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is accessed through faith and results in a transformed life, offering believers assurance and a call to live in accordance with God's will.
Topical Bible Verses
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Topicalbible.orgEphesians 2:8-9
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
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1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
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Romans 8:34
Who is he that comdemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
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Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.
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Acts 10:35
But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.
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Library
OfAccepting Blessing in the Name of Idols.
... Chapter XXII."OfAccepting Blessing in the Name of Idols.... the nations is to be cursed
in the name ofGod.... of the colony, may be propitious tome, my oblation...
It Appears toMe that Celsus Has Also Misunderstood this Statement...
... It appears tome that Celsus has also misunderstood... either unbegotten, and not created
byGod, are yet... of treating with respect andaccepting the intention of...
Shame on Account ofGod's Displeasure.
... that which I feel whenGod denouncesme?" How trifling... 2. The consequent possibility
ofaccepting the pardon of sin... to treat sin lightly is to treatGod lightly...
In the Work of the Redemption of Man, not Only the Mercy, but Also...
... the mercy, but also the justice, ofGod is displayed.... and the dominion of the devil,
byaccepting the injustice... If Laban pursue the and reproachme for having...
Twenty-Sixth Day. Holiness and the Will ofGod.
... He sees this, and inaccepting his circumstances as the will of... and fully assured
in all the will ofGod,' he finds... Letme ask every reader to say to a HolyGod...
Note E. --Chap. viii Nothing of Myself
... It has come tome like a new revelation.... Count uponGod accepting them, and meeting
them with His grace, to make the acts into habits, and the habits into...
Letter ix. --Danger of Delusion Explained.
... of darkness and dryness in prayer; when one knows how to unite one's will to the
holy will ofGod,accepting all that... the subject about which you write tome....
Concerning Repentance and Alms-Giving.
... But he said tome that he would send back the Shepherd... Here might follow that beautiful
fragment of Iren??us, onGod's goodnessaccepting the feeblest...
How the Knowledge ofGod Differs from that of Man.
... concealed from Him than was it hidden fromme when singing... is a past and a future;
inGod there is... all that life at once;' and Aquinas,accepting the definition...
The Only Safe Resting-Place for the Soul is to be Found inGod.
... Place for the Soul is to Be Found inGod.... the life which my body derives fromme,
and these... to value everything according to its dignity,accepting some things...
Resources
Is God male or female? | GotQuestions.orgIs God man-made? Did man create the idea of God? | GotQuestions.orgThe Identity of God ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgGod: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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