Devotional Tea 8: I am Accepted

Scripture: Romans 8:1-2 (TLB)

So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit—and this power is mine through Christ Jesus—has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death.

Meditation:

The gospel comes to the sinner at once with nothing short of complete forgiveness as the starting-point of all his efforts to be holy. It does not say, "Go and sin no more, and I will not condemn thee." It says at once, "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more." (Horatius Bonar)

God has not called us to performance. He has called us, rather, to life. He has called us to dependency on Himself. We have come to Him who is able and willing to make us into all we were created to be. It is not in what we can do. It is all about what He can and we are willing to allow Him do in and through us.

O what peace that comes from knowing we are loved and accepted in Christ Jesus. Not for who we are, or what we have done, but for who He is and all He has done. O what rest and peace we find in Him. "He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most." (Psalm 23:2-3, TLB)

Further Reading: John 8:1-12; Ephesians 1:3-14.

Prayer: Lord, have your full reign in my life.

Devotional Tea 7: Looking unto Jesus
Devotional Tea 9: Worship Without Sacrifice