InEssence

Ultimately, our significance is not determined by winning God’s approval. Our significance is determined by what He has done in creating us to be so valuable to Him. Only the ransom price of Calvary sufficiently demonstrated this worth.

So, we are justified, in good standing, on our way to heaven or the resurrection of the just. In that sphere of wellbeing is it possible to still long for God’s approval? Yes.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

It seems as if all of life is going to be reviewed. No wonder we long for this approval.

I’ve a friend who doesn’t want to hear this: Matthew 25:21 21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

He believes that it is too ‘low level’ for a ‘son.’

On the other hand, I long to hear those types of words from Jesus.

Even THE Son sought to do the things which were pleasing to the One who sent Him.

John 8:29 29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

We are called to learn to live the same fashion.

Ephesians 5:10 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

We have a Master to please. He inspects the quality of our work.

2 Timothy 2:15 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.