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You Made It

If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

That nagging feeling has been inside of each one of us. It cripples our confidence and slams our security. It keeps us from truly fulfilling God's dreams and the delightful destiny He has in store.

What is it?

Rejection. When people are petty and small and we don't measure up to the world's mirror, it gets pretty easy to give in to the feeling that nobody understands or loves us.

It doesn't have to be that way...here are a few thoughts from Neil Andersen which may be just the message you needed today.

Fellowship with God is not an abstract theological concept, but a living relationship. Living in continuous agreement with God is to walk in the light. Satan can't accuse me if I live in the light, but walking in the light is not moral perfection (1 John 1:8). We are not sinless, but the confession mentioned in 1 John 1:9 brings us into agreement with God about our present moral condition before Him.

What makes it possible to be this open with God about our condition is the fact that we are already His children. Our eternal state is not at stake, only our daily victory. We don't have to pretend with God in the hope that He will accept us. As His children we're already accepted, so we are free to be honest with Him. We have no relationship to lose, only fellowship to gain. Knowing that we're secure in Christ, we can express ourselves honestly to Him. He already knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

Knowing that we are forgiven, let's come before His presence with thanksgiving. God is our Father, and like any parent He doesn't appreciate grumbling, complaining children, especially since this Father sacrificed His only begotten Son for us. He will not be very interested in our list of demands if we haven't been obedient to Him. I also don't think He is going to be very interested in helping us develop our own kingdoms when we are to work at establishing the only one that will last--His!

To sit in the presence of my Father who loves me, who has made an incredible sacrifice so I can be there, doesn't have to be a dismal, failing experience. He invites us into His presence just as we are, because in Christ our weakness and sin have been covered:

"Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience." Hebrews 10:22 (Neil Andersen)

Questions:

  1. How does this devotional help you feel fully accepted?
  2. What message can you give the devil the next time he tries to make you feel unaccepted?
  3. Are you willing to approach Jesus 'just as you are'? Why or why not?