Pre-Approved for God
The sad truth is that we can’t get ourselves pre-qualified for God. We sure are a bunch of sinners and we can’t save ourselves. But the happy news is Christ has already gotten all of us pre-approved on the cross!
God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus. Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood. (Romans 3:22-25, CEB)
We are indeed pre-approved for God! Don’t wait to approach God until you have become pre-qualified. Run to God because you’ve already been pre-approved by Christ.
But the same way that pre-qualified is not pre-approved, pre-approved is not approved. We still need to approach God, ask to be approved because of Christ and receive grace upon grace. But we have been pre-approved! All we need to do is to boldly approach God and embrace him and his grace. We are approved! Christ is risen!
But even this is not all! The very same grace that saves us will continue to work in us. It educates us to live in God’s way. It transforms us into Christ-likeness. It readies us for the life in heaven. All this by grace through faith in Christ. All this free for all!
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world. At the same time we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13, CEB)
Now go and share the Good News: From under-qualified to approved by grace through faith in Jesus. What a gift!
Gracious God,
We truly are under-qualified for you.
Pour out grace upon grace!
We need you, Jesus!
Thank you for carrying our sins on the cross.
Father, pour out grace upon grace!
Approve us because of Christ.
Forgive our sins, renew us!
Pour out grace upon grace!
Live, move and work in us, Holy Spirit!
Lead us Home!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U:Have you heard that we have all been pre-approved for God? Have you closed the deal?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you boldly approach our Father in Heaven!
Image courtesy of Chris Manfre. Linking up today with What’s on Your Heart Tuesdays & Soli Deo Gloria & One Word at a Time: Approved Blog Carnival.
16 thoughts on “Pre-Approved for God”
I know I have been saved by grace… but it has been a long hard road to truly believe I am also transformed by grace. I walk out my salvation — only by grace, not by my own striving. There is more rest in this than I could ever have imagined.
Thank you for the reminder of grace this morning…
Thank you, Michele-Lyn, for sharing your faith journey with us. Yes, we can only live out our faith by grace. But resting in grace…that really is the best feeling! We are free and loved by God! Priceless. Blessings to you, sis!
To quote an old Gold City song: Signed, Sealed, Delivered – I’m free!
Amen, brother! Thanks for chiming in, Dusty! Bountiful Blessings!
I know I can always find grace here, Mari-Anna. Thanks for another great post. I love that we’ve been pre-approved by Christ!
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa! Yes, it is wonderful to know we are free to approach God because of Christ! Bask in his grace, sis!
Bless you for being a sweet blessing.
Thank you, Denise, for kindness! Abundant blessings to you!
Amen! Not because of what we’ve done, but because of Who He Is!!
I would love to read Common English Version, that is one we do not have.
Yes, it’s all GRACE! Thank you, sister in Christ! Bountiful blessings to you and yours!
Beautiful post. I have read through the lines of your prayer three times. Yes, grace upon grace– we need it every day.
Thank you, Carol! Yes, we do need grace every day. But with grace – anything, anywhere! Abundant blessings to you, sis!
Considering my horrific lifestyle before the Lord broke in, approval would have been the farthest possible aspect I could have imagined. And PRE-approval would not have even entered my mind. I knew He had been on the cross and it was for the sinful world, but I didn’t understand that I could be accepted and approved by Him before I somehow figured out how to live a perfect life… which would never have occurred at all, since I was buried in sinfulness. The miracle of His approval and acceptance has made me grin millions of times, filled with joy and gratefulness. Can’t imagine a more wonderful experience for us because of Him
Amen! Thank you for sharing, Joanne! God sure is amazing! May His love and grace break in people’s hearts around the world! Abundant blessings to you!
I like what you said about We are indeed pre-approved for God! Then it is up to us to receive that grace and mercy. I have been pre-approved by Christ.
It does give us incredible joy to think that we really are pre-approved by Christ! And even more joy when we have received that grace and mercy! Thank you, Hazel! Bountiful Blessings!