To know that we are accepted is a human need. Understanding how God accepts and loves us completely transforms who we are. In this devotional from the Yellow Balloons team, we will be able to learn more about the acceptance we have from our Father and how to share it with those who still do not know Him.Grace School of Theology, in partnership with Yellow Balloons and El Centro Network
Day 1
Scriptures: Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 1:5-6, Romans 8:16, John 8:10-11, John 5:14, 1 Peter 1:13-15, John 6:37, 1 John 2:1
Accepted and Approved
Most of us have grown up in a culture that has taught us that acceptance and approval are synonymous. We are only accepted if we behave in an approved manner. Therefore, we tend to reject others who do not behave in the same way as we do.
Scripture makes a clear distinction between acceptance and approval. It makes a harmonious and important distinction. God freely gives us acceptance, even when we don’t deserve it. When we choose to follow Christ and confess our desire to do so, He receives us as His children. We are accepted, and the Holy Spirit testifies to us of this wonderful change. Approval, on the other hand, is something God gives based on the decisions we make. Our actions will either lead us to have or not have God’s approval, even though we are His children.
Jesus fully accepted the woman caught in adultery. He didn’t reject her at all. But He also didn’t approve of her adultery. He told her, “Go and sin no more.” Why? As Jesus told the man He healed: “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
Like any good parent, God can disapprove of what we do. He will reward what is best for us. His calling and guidance always lead us to choose what is good, virtuous, and pleasing to Him. The way to conduct ourselves according to God’s will is by being “holy,” which means we are set apart for God. This is something we learn through our relationship with God, by reading the Scriptures, and by renewing our thinking to align it with God’s vision.
In our learning and surrendering ourselves to God, we can make mistakes and wrong decisions that lead us to sin. Even then, we are still accepted and loved by God, and He allows us to repent and start anew, thanks to the work that Jesus Christ did on the cross.
Acceptance and approval from the Father are two pillars of His love for us. Nothing can separate us from His unconditional love. Jesus Christ said that He doesn’t cast anyone out, so we have the assurance that we can always approach Him. All the time, God will approve of what brings us life while dissuading us from pursuing what brings destruction. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Thank You, Lord, for I can walk with confidence in your acceptance and love. Please help me to live following Your path.
Day 2
Scriptures: Proverbs 21:20, Proverbs 23:4, Proverbs 10:22, Joshua 1:8, Ecclesiastes 10:10, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Matthew 6:19-21
Precious Treasure
The concepts of treasure, wealth, and abundance have intrigued, fascinated, and seduced people for centuries. Throughout history, we have seen that the possession of that which defines “wealth” has changed and varies from culture to culture. Perceived wealth is a status symbol. In most cases, it carries some form of power or dominance over the place or group of people nearby. In our day and age, material wealth and success still serve as measures of status and, for many of us, a way to validate who we are and how much we are worth.
When the Bible speaks about a treasure, it refers to both what we have and how we use it. Materials are a means to an end; resources are the raw materials that will help us obtain the true treasure that is not found on this earth. Real success comes through wisdom and is obtained through knowing and meditating on Scripture. This enables us to make decisions that lead us toward prosperity and, therefore, success; defined as making meaningful choices that guide us toward God’s purpose.
In contrast to those who seek wisdom, we have those whom Scripture calls fools. Those who turn their ear and understanding away from what God says, follow their paths and do not listen to advice. They are those of whom Scripture says they conform and focus on material riches, diverting their attention from what is truly important; which can be sharing. The ability to bless others with the resources we have, not only opens our hearts but allows us to give what we have received as a gift from God and receive blessings in return.
Everything that God has given to us is a tool to draw us to the Kingdom of God, to empower us to reflect His essence in us, and to take care of one another. We are managers of the resources of God on earth. When we pursue resources as an end in themselves and not as a means, we fall into idolatry. True wealth, the precious treasure of the Kingdom of God, is communion with the King of the Universe.
Lord, thank You for Your love. Thank You for the resources You have given me. Help me to be able to share them with those in need, and give me more of your wisdom.
Day 3
Scriptures: Philippians 3:14-16, 2 Peter 3:8, Psalms 58:11, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Acts 20:23-25, Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 3:9
Already Attained
The journey of life ends in the blink of an eye. It is short and sweet: a brief flash in the long history of eternity. Our sense of time is not the same as God’s. What are years to us are but a day to Him.
Life on Earth is a brief scene in a long scroll. God is the director, producer, and true Star in the cosmic story; the story of heaven. It is like a race; we must run with patience, stripping away what hinders us until we reach the finish line.
Our prize is to participate in this story, to play our part well, and to reach the goal with joy, bearing witness to Jesus Christ and His grace. We are to turn our gaze heavenward and partake in communion with Christ Jesus. What hinders us from achieving this is the sin that obstructs our path.
God has already granted us His acceptance as a beautiful, everlasting gift. It is eternal, just like His grace.
When we view our lives in the light of eternity, we see that many of our concerns are in vain, as they are confined to this earth. By fixing our eyes on the eternal, the purpose of our lives changes. We can see humanity’s great need for God and for breaking free from sin. We are collaborators with God on this earth, and we attain a spiritual maturity that unlocks many of the riches of God’s Kingdom.
When we lose sight of this perspective and attempt to control our circumstances, turning the temporary and superficial experience of this life into our everything, we make our life an idol to worship, manipulate, and control.
We try to work towards heaven with an earthly vision, a heaven redesigned in our image, instead of toward the true eternal Kingdom of God. Through God’s acceptance, we have already gained access to His Kingdom. We have it all! Heaven is now, as well as later, and our collaboration is in making everyone aware of it. At best, our brief life on this earth is a celebration of eternity to come and a demonstration of God’s grace and great love for us.
Lord, allow me to have an eternal perspective on the circumstances and situations I face in my day-to-day life. I no longer want to be the one who directs my life, but I want You to guide my steps. Help me to pay attention to the things that truly matter and are eternal.
Day 4
Scriptures: Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:14, Matthew 5:13-15, Psalms 139:23, Proverbs 21:2
Clothed in White
Revelation 3 is a message to a complacent church. John is writing to the church in Sardis, known for its reputation but lacking in spiritual substance. The church may appear impressive, but its members are spiritually asleep and apathetic. The religious world may applaud them, but the God of the universe is not impressed.
The call to the church in Sardis is a great reminder for us. It is easy to rest on our laurels, relax, and let someone else take care of what we are supposed to manage. It is easy to go with the flow without resisting, not speaking up to avoid discomfort, while maintaining the appearance that everything is fine. We can easily become complacent and conform to the rules of the majority, but Jesus calls us to wake up, come back to life, and reclaim the territory of our choices, our perspective, and our influence.
It is easy to settle for a life of religious appearances, for the semblance of righteousness, and act for the superficial applause of people. But God sees it all. He evaluates the heart and weighs our motivations. In the end, you cannot escape reality. John speaks of these facades as soiled clothing, while white garments are evidence of those who have received salvation through Jesus Christ—those who have been cleansed from their sins.
We are called to overcome our apathy; to turn routine into an opportunity rather than an obstacle. We are called to have a better perspective and an eternal vision; to see the truth through the eyes of faith. We are called to illuminate this world with God’s light, and to be the salt that gives flavor to this earth.
Actively seeking the truth is the breath of life for our circumstances. It awakens us to who God is and what He is doing. It tells us what possessions are truly worth pursuing—the most important being recognition and praise from the Father.
Putting God’s Word into action involves effort. It entails risk. There is potential exposure in the act of getting up from the couch or stepping out from backstage in our attempt to overcome apathy, but the reward outweighs the risks. The reward is God’s eternal approval.
Lord, allow me to be a change agent for those around me, to see others with Your eternal vision, and to seize opportunities to bring them closer to You. Thank You for helping me speak Your eternal truth to others.
Day 5
Scriptures: John 1:14, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Ephesians 2:19, John 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:17, Psalms 103:1-5, John 14:21, Psalms 25:8
Full of Grace
When we have the opportunity to surrender our lives to Christ and decide to follow Him, He welcomes us into His family. We are no longer alone but accepted into God’s family. We are His children.
The first significant change upon surrendering to Christ is that He grants us a new birth. We are born of the Spirit. This happens by His grace (or favor); we did not have to do anything to experience this new birth; we only had to receive it. It is given to us unconditionally. It is not that there is no merit in this grace; it is that the merit comes from Christ. He earned it all for us on the cross.
Grace is unconditional for us because Jesus earned it by becoming a sacrifice for us. In this way, His acceptance of us is unconditional.
Although we are completely accepted, God does not approve of self-destructive behavior. He approves of obedience to His way, which is what is best for us. And He grants His favor, or approval when we make good decisions. This is independent of His acceptance.
When we obey His way and His guidelines, we demonstrate our love and commitment to Him. Additionally, we benefit from the results.
Similarly, we must speak the truth with grace. Accept people for who they are – while approving only those things that are beneficial. When we do this, we show forth the glory of God and His essence. Because that is what God did for us: He accepted us when we were sinners and loved us before we loved Him.
Sometimes the truth is painful. But grace is not about pleasing others or telling people what they want to hear. That is selfish and doesn’t show God’s love. By giving grace to others, we can get close to them, and they can feel and know God through us. We must focus on both what is true and how to communicate the truth in a way that uplifts and benefits, which is not rejected, so that the God of all love can touch the lives of others through us.
Lord, thank You for the work that Jesus Christ did on the cross. Through it, You accepted me as Your child, and Your favor and grace are upon my life. Help me speak Your truth to others with love so they can get to know You and enjoy Your love.