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Day 15 - Because I'm Accepted in Christ, I Don't Have to Dance in Religion Before Men
As a believer in Jesus Christ, I have been made righteous in Him. My acceptance is not based on my own works, but on what He has done for me on the cross. Because of this, I don't have to try to gain the acceptance of men through religion. I am crucified to the world and have died to the opinions of men. I am now living in Christ, enjoying Him outside the camp. He is not ashamed to call me His brother.
This is what Paul meant when he said, “but God forbid that I should glory in anything but the cross of Christ, through whom the world crucified to me and I to the world.” Religious people always tempt you to get off the ground of your justification and start working to try to please them.
Galatians 6:12-14
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
When we die to something, we die to its demands and any need to answer to it. We are dead to sin, dead to the law, and dead to the religious world. We don't have to dance in religion before men to gain their acceptance. We are already accepted in Christ, and that is all that matters. The opinions of men do not define us, but rather our identity is found in Christ alone. We are now free to live according to His will and purpose for our lives.
I have found great comfort in Hebrews 2:11, which tells us that Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. We are now part of His family and have been given an inheritance that can never fade away. 1 Peter 2:9 also reminds us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's own special people.
Let us then rejoice in our position in Christ and walk confidently in the knowledge of who we are in Him. He has made us righteous and has given us a new identity. We don't have to strive for acceptance before men but can rest in the fact that we are fully accepted in Christ.
Verses:
- Romans 6:11 - "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- Galatians 2:20 - "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
- Hebrews 2:11 - "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"
- 1 Peter 2:9 - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
- Colossians 2:10 - "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"
Prayer / Confession:
Dear Father, thank you for making me righteous in Christ. I am now accepted in Him and do not have to seek acceptance in the opinions of men. I am crucified to the world and have died to sin. I am now alive in Christ and can enjoy Him outside the camp. Thank you for calling me Your child and for giving me a new identity in Him. Help me to walk confidently in who I am in Christ and to live for His glory. Amen.