Approved

Published by Deborah Negron- Child of God

December 20, 2022

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:2‭-‬4‭, ‬12

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?
Isaiah 2:22

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:23

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalm 37:7

You are not better than your master.
We are not better than the Lord.
We will not be accepted.

They will tolerate you.

Some will hate us. Others will consider us a nuisance. We will be treated as outcasts. They won’t think to invite you. You are no fun, according to them.

You are too deep, to intense. You concern yourself with things that are too serious. You do not know how to have fun.

You are wanted only when they need something from you. Otherwise, do not ever expect them to call.

Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16

You are more like the one who called you than you know, when others reject you and belittle you. When they would rather not have you around, remember you have been loved by the Creator. The one who died for you and saved you, understands what it means to be alienated and put down. But his love holds us. His love for humanity drives his actions. He fully knows our deepest hurts.

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3

To be like Jesus means the world won’t want us here. To be like him means we must love the unlovely. We must forgive those who hate and mistreat us. We must have patience and show kindness regardless of how we are treated.

We are those who love when we are hated.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. each considering not the things of themselves, but each also the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], Philippians 2:5

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in the heavens and on earth and under the earth,

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:6-11

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 1:11-12.

Because of the Love of God, we love others. We stand and endure trials because our desire is to be like our Lord. Our desire is to love others so, that, they may see the Father in us.

So, chin up, when you are rejected. Count it all joy. You are pleasing God.

You are Approved of God. That matters most.