John 5:41–44 CSB
“I do not accept glory from people, but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Jesus says that these people “have no love for God.” Why? Because, “You don’t accept me.” What exactly does it mean to “accept” Jesus? Well let’s go back one step first.
Human’s have been created with a strong moral sense. We look at various situations and draw strongly held conclusions of things being right or being wrong. Many of these things are universal like: don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t harm others, don’t take advantage of the the vulnerable, don’t be a jerk, show compassion, treat others with respect and so on. Truth be told we are fairly rigorous at applying these moral standards on other people, but when it comes to applying it to ourselves we really miss the mark. This interesting because that phrase “miss the mark” is the very definition of sin. When we miss the mark with morality we sin against our conscience.
To take this a step further this also becomes a sin against God. You see if you view something as bad and yet you do it anyway then you are acting against the conscience that God has given you. You are literally disobeying God. This guilt is talked about in Romans 1:18-19 “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.”
Our moral sense (unless a person has completely seared their conscience) testifies against us. In our brokenness there is a profound realization that even though I know the right things to do in this life there is a complete lack of ability to do it (see Romans 7:23-24). Most of us can string together a goodness for a season, but at some point we return to missing the mark (sin). It really is a hopeless condition. It also is true of all of us. Religious people miss the mark, secular people miss the mark, professional people miss the mark, kind people miss the mark, rude people miss the mark. We all sin!
So returning to describing what it means to “accept” Christ. First, we have to humble ourselves and see that we have truly sinned (missed the mark). We also have to recognize that even though we can see that we missed the mark that we are unable to do anything other than missing the mark. That is to say we need help to get out of the this helpless state of sin. With this recognition in our soul we then are in a position to repent. Repent is a change in our soul and heart with regard to the life we have been living. We acknowledge that we are headed in the wrong direction and long for something better, something pure, something righteous. That something is actually someone. That is Jesus Christ the Son of God and author of our salvation.
John 14:6–7 CSB
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
So to accept Christ is the know Him and to know him is to know God the Father. This also is the beginning of God’s sanctifying work in your life through the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. As you trust in Jesus to forgive your sin through confession and repentance God sets your moral sense right and gives you the strength to live uprightly. To love God and To love others by the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is a Christian’s first love.
Jesus was eventually tried by these same people that did not love God. He was put to death by those that hated Him. Ironically God used those that hated him to complete the work of saving souls. You see Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate death the penalty of our sins was laid on Him.
1 Peter 2:24–25 CSB
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
When we accept Christ then we are healed of our broken moral sense and going astray. Put your hope in Him. Would you pray to receive Him today? If you have already accepted Jesus would you return to your first love? If you would like to talk more about this please feel free to message me. Or if you have question find a friend or family member that is a follower of Christ and ask them the questions. You can also contact myself or church staff Richland Baptist Church. Don’t wait follow Christ today.
May God Richly Bless You
~BJ
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