A way to explain what something is – is to describe correctly what it isn’t. So, what does ‘accepting Jesus’ not mean? It means I don’t hold out the golden scepter to God like King Ahasuerus did when he accepted Queen Esther’s petition, as one believer put it. In other words, God was on the throne when I was ‘dead in transgressions and sins’. I didn’t give the Lord ‘permission’ to act on my behalf. God had to act first and change my heart, (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). Paul wrote “While we were still sinners Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8b NIV), and Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws them,” (John 6:44 NIV).

God is never beholden to me because I did anything – on the contrary, I am always beholden to Him because He did everything. Of course, people make spiritual decisions when they choose to follow Jesus, yet He reminded His disciples, “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you…” (John 15:16a NIV). God always chooses first.

Why is this so important for me to remember? It keeps me from banking any of my hope in something I did instead of what Christ did on my behalf. It gives me spiritual rest to know I can rest in His finished work on the cross. It also keeps me from coveting someone else’s spiritual experience. If you’ve ever secretly wished your experience could match someone else’s – your faith has been sadly misdirected.

The fact is, outside of the grace of God, any movement toward Him will be tainted by sin and self. But when we agree to accept what God says about our true spiritual condition, accepting what He already did for us on the cross – in that faith we will open our hearts in gratitude and love.

 
God speaks and we hear His voice by grace and believe. It is only then we are able to open the door and invite Him in, (Revelation 3:20 NIV).