What does God really think of me?
By Dr. Charles Stanley
Romans 3:21-26
I never thought much about whether God liked me or approved of me when I was a young man. I knew He loved me, but I never thought about whether He liked me. If someone had pressed me on that point, I probably would have concluded that the Lord “somewhat” liked me. I don’t think I would have said that He liked me through and through.
Only after I truly experienced God’s love—His total, unconditional, overwhelming, abundant love—could I say with all honesty, “Yes, God likes me. He approves of me. He likes spending time with me. He likes being with me. He likes hearing me when I pray to Him, and He also enjoys talking with me through His Word. I believe He loves me. He knows I make mistakes, but He sees my heart and my desire to know Him better each day.”
I didn’t come to that position on the basis of things I had accomplished or actions I had taken. Rather, I came to that position solely because I had a new appreciation for God’s grace at work in my life. The Lord certainly does expect obedience, but the fact is, I had done nothing and could do nothing to win His approval. God likes me just the way I am, because He created me to be just the way I am. His approval of me isn’t based on anything I have accomplished or might accomplish in the future. He approves of me because I stand forgiven before Him, and I’m forgiven because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and have received His forgiveness. That makes me totally acceptable to Him.
The first four chapters of Romans make it very clear that we can’t save ourselves. We are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). But because of what Jesus Christ did for us on the Cross, by faith we are “justified as a gift by His grace” (v. 24).
Jesus has done for you what you cannot do. He purchased full approval and forgiveness for you. You cannot have grace without the Cross. But because of the Cross, you have full access to His grace.
Grace is God’s kindness and goodness toward you without regard to worth or merit. As a believer, you have a duty to obey the Lord. But you can’t earn grace, buy it, or barter with God to receive it. Grace is His free gift to you. There is only one thing you can do in regard to grace: receive it gladly!
Adapted from "The Charles F. Stanley’s Life Principles Bible," 2008.
Copyright 2013 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.
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11 comments
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July 15, 2012 01:16 PM
by
Amen,amen and Amen! His grace is all that we have,his grace is sufficient to us all! Imagine we are all saved by his grace? How would the world be if his grace never excited in us? I am glad to learn that he is pleased with who I truly am! He actually created me for his own likeness,All I have to do it to mentain his likeness in me,and I can only do that through his grace in me! My prayer is that we connect with him all the time,let us seek to be at his presence on a daily basis for by doing so, we will know so much of him and he will reveal a lot to us (Jeremiah 33:3)
I bless all those who seek him whole heartedly..let us please pray for eachother
Lillian Mwasha -
April 26, 2012 04:33 PM
by
When some one asked this question, I just could not sleep. I felt like a worm crawling in my mind. After reading this simple truth I fully relieved and fully surrender myself to His Will and not mine. AMEN -
March 16, 2012 10:40 PM
by
I understand what you're saying. I am also starting to slowly gain a better understanding of His grace... I want to learn as much about it as I can.. Before, God's grace used to be like a foreign word that I could pronounce but had no comprehension of what it meant or what I was saying. But now, I am beginning to slowly understand the significance and the importance of God's amazing grace and exactly how wonderful it is. -
January 30, 2012 11:04 AM
by
i think if u truly show god ur love,he'l truly help u.....
But do it widout any pride...
But sumtyms wen there is this feeling that he doesnt love you.....
Just pray the instant...i think he will help u...... -
January 15, 2012 07:05 AM
by
Thank You so much for your Grace & forgiveness heavenly father through your dear son Lord jesus Christ.
Amen -
November 07, 2011 11:30 PM
by
awsome , i loved it , thank you :) -
October 25, 2011 09:19 PM
by thepearlturtle
“Yes, God likes me. He approves of me. He likes spending time with me. He likes being with me. He likes hearing me when I pray to Him, and He also enjoys talking with me through His Word. I believe He loves me. He knows I make mistakes, but He sees my heart and my desire to know Him better each day.” I love this statement of pure Truth, and I have finally come to believe and receive it in my life.The journey has not been an easy one, as I have struggled through many painful years of fighting against the Holy Spirit with my own will until, finally, I crawled up on Calvary's Cross and placed my will firmly in His hands, surrendering my life into His gracious care. At last, Jesus is Lord of my life, and I am second. The relief is amazing, as I know I no longer have to perform and stress and strain to earn my position with Him, to purchase His approval. Amazingly, He has purchased me with His blood on Calvary! What a blessed Gift! I am His and He is mine! Forevermore, I have a Saviour Who loves me for who I am and I can rest in His arms and lay striving aside, breathing in all that He has for me and knowing He delights in my presence, even as I delight in His. Alleluia! Amen! -
September 19, 2011 10:27 PM
by
Just what I needed when I needed it the most! -
June 13, 2011 11:54 AM
by
You speak many great truths. I thank God Almighty for you and the grace He has provided. God bless you. -
May 04, 2011 12:05 PM
by
thank you Jesus for your Love -
April 19, 2011 02:39 PM
by
Amen to that
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