God Accepts Christians
To be accepted by God is to be welcomed and received with approval (ZPEB, v 1, p 32). We are accepted (restored to God) by faith that accepts God’s free gift of salvation (Rom 5:1) through Jesus’ death (Eph 2:18). God decides who and what is acceptable to Him (Lk 18:14). Hence, just because a behavior is socially acceptable doesn’t mean it is acceptable to God (Gen 16:1-4). In addition, the Lord accepts our service, praise, prayers, and persons in Christ (Rom 15:7; Phil 3:3, NIV & GW).
What is included in accepting another? Since part of how we show our acceptance of Jesus Christ is by accepting others, we are to accept those God has accepted (Rom 14:1). Accepting means forgiving (Eph 5:2), lovingly making allowances for them (Eph 4:1-2, Phillips), to kindly receive them into fellowship (Rom 14:1, Norlie), and to be willing to have a close relationship with them (EDBW, p 8). It is to warmly welcome them as a friend (Rom 14:1, TCNT with Message). Besides this, we honor God by accepting each other (Rom 15:7, CEV).
What does it mean to accept ourselves in Christ? According to 1 Cor 15:10, we can accept ourselves as being both a sinner AND as being important to God. “Christianity is about acceptance, and if God accepts me as I am, then I had better do the same” (Hugh Montefiore).
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.