FRIDAY June 28, 2024
What Is Acceptable to God?
...finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
Ephesians 5:10-12
What is acceptable to the Lord? What does the Bible have to say about it? Romans 12:1-2 are key verses that we should memorize and obey:
...therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The Word of God will renew your mind––your very thinking will change. You will have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Everything will be seen through the lens of eternity. You are to willingly serve the Lord because He has shown you His great Mercy. His will is revealed to you in His Word.
You are no longer to have fellowship with those walking according to their depravity in the darkness. Do what God asks. Separate from them: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Even the sinful things we have done in darkness are nothing to boast about. You have sinned against a holy God and repented of those things! Deeds done in the darkness are to be exposed by the light. They are shameful.
The Holy Spirit’s conviction has led you to repentance, and you have had a change of heart. The Spirit has regenerated your life. The Lord has given you guidelines in His Word to know what is acceptable in your walk with Him.
Devotion to God is the only acceptable motive for actions that are pleasing to God.
~Jerry Bridges~
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