Acceptable To God

Paul spoke of his worldly attainments, advancements, and honors as matters of which he gladly gave up for Christ. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil.3:7-8). Paul fully, and gladly, carried out Christ’s command to forsake all persons and to give up all things that stood in the way of him becoming a Christian or would hinder his progress in the Christian life.

            There are many professed followers of Christ who seem never to have realized this must be done. They seek worldly wealth, stations of honor as diligently as people of the world. They maintain no difference between the church and the world. Sad.

            The righteousness which is through faith in Christ is submitting to the Gospel of Christ. . . That which God teaches through Christ must be done. There can be no righteousness through faith in Christ in disobedience to His commands. (Gal.5:6) (Jas.2:24).  Every one who “worketh righteousness”, is acceptable to God we are told. (Acts 10:34-35). Therefore, the Gospel plan of salvation must be obeyed for us to work righteousness. We will not only have faith in Him, but will also repent of our sins and turn to Him, confess our faith in Him, and then be baptized into Him. Then, and only then, will we be acceptable to God”!

            Many there are this day who have the high hopes of going to Heaven, but have not done the “will of the Father which is in Heaven.” (Matt.7:21-23). They have lived, believed, and practiced the doctrines of men, and think that god has asked too much of them to give it all up.  Error must be given up.  Paul was a man of  strong convictions. He believed in standing for what he knew to be right. On the other hand when  he  was  shown  otherwise,  and he saw the way which was right about such matters, he was  humble  enough to admit wrong and change. There is a great need today for people to see the error of their way and do as Paul  -  change his way unto God’s way. God has not given any orders that are unfair. His way is forever right and easy  to  be obeyed.  The  promises  are  grand  the  blessings  are  many,  and  the  result  is breath-taking! Yet, selfish and worldly motives are never  “Acceptable  To  God”.

. . . .  Fred  House