You Don’t Need To Clean Yourself Up For Him
You Don’t Need To Clean Yourself Up For Him
Lord, I feel like a mess. Does that make me unacceptable to you?
Jesus came to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. For my way of making you right with me depends on faith. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that I raised him from the dead, you will be saved—and nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate you from my love that is revealed in Christ Jesus.
Mark 2:17; Philippians 3:9; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:9; Romans 8:39
I believe you have forgiven me, but do you really accept me?
I saved you by my grace when you believed. This is a gift from me. Therefore, since you have been made right in my sight by faith, you have peace with me because of what Jesus Christ has done for you. Because of your faith, Christ has brought you into this place of undeserved privilege where you now stand, and you may confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing my glory.
Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:1-2
What can I pray when I feel unworthy of your acceptance?
I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Psalm 32:5
In this world, you must earn the acceptance of others. It isn’t so with God. He accepts you not because of what you have done, but because of who you are—a precious child created in his image. As you sit before God in prayer, picture him seeing all of you—the good and the bad. Now see him opening his arms to embrace you. Breathe in his full acceptance, love, and grace. How would your days be different if you were confident of God’s acceptance of you?
From the book
