CHAPTER 7: ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance: the Bible is either absolute or obsolete. I accept that or I don’t. If I don’t believe that, I’m the judge of what is truth and what is not truth and I am an “idiot.” Do the math as they say. I am nothing without God. Even with God I might add, I am still not worthy of anything given to me, incompetent in all matters, unqualified or not deserving. However, being “available” to Him who presides over us all and with my whole heart wanting to serve and love God, He will reveal to me who I am in Him. And to all those around me I make it clear that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and I believe He rose from the dead, having died for my sins — and then stand back kids, because the Main Attraction, Jesus Christ has begun His work in you. Then and only then will I see His mercy and His grace. He — will make me everything I could ever possibly become and more. Hence the phrase, “better than my best.”
Up until this point, my best definitely wouldn’t cut it. The world is obnoxious and my soul cannot survive without His Word as my primary weapon against sin. The righteous will be saved so says the Word. It also says I will be tested.
Adam and Eve were the first to believe the snake and be delivered into the black forest — right? They were pretty good people, right? Without sin? Right? Walked with God, right? Right. So, what does this have to do with my business, your business? One decision brought hell over the entire Earth, and sent Adam, Eve and all their descendants, generations to come — out of the Garden forever. One decision. One. Okay, set that to the side. I think we got it.
Now all of us are faced with end times, that’s the buzz phrase these days. And by scripture, it certainly looks like there is a lot of validity to the claims.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control , brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Look, all things good come from God. We are taught that and it is repetitious in His Word. God’s promises have power, and in your lives we see miracles and blessings, too many to list, we can’t even keep up with them. I assure you the devil has his tricks as well. His promises have hope, just like God. However, if all good things come from God, all seemingly good things from the devil, things that offer hope — are counterfeit, a copy, not the real deal. I don’t want that and neither do you. I assure you men, by their own free will — will bring destruction to themselves and the Earth. It is biblical. I also assure you that God will sort it out.
2 Peter 3:3-7 ESV
Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Sure this stuff is hard. It’s not for sissy’s. Pay attention, winning is not for losers, that’s why it’s so incredibly challenging. That’s why we have to try all the time, anytime, for all time in prayer to Him. It’s a rough ride, this isn’t vacation, cruise control, I can’t say to anyone anymore, “hey I didn’t know about Jesus or all these rules.”
Acts 17:30-31 ESV
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Matthew 24:7 ESV
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
My business is something I do in between church. Keeps me busy and is a good example to others — IF I can maintain myself as a “good example.”
Stay in the business of the Lord, do the gifts given and work.
What about end times? Acceptance in the Word. It’ll get worse and you will be okay.
Matthew 24:22 ESV
And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Mark 13:32 ESV
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
What does this have to do with my business? My business is the last opportunity I will have to take care of my family, myself and be an example of Christ in the community. It’s my resume as I stand in front of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:9-11
New King James Version
The Judgment Seat of Christ
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Acceptance comes with responsibility. What is accepting responsibility? Realizing that you, me, both of us are the “light of the world.” We may be the only hope for someone who is lost.
Matthew 5:14
English Standard Version
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
I accept that for all I have been given, I can make another stumble by my example, drinking, eating, talking — living out of the context of a christian example is not easy.
Romans 14:13-23
English Standard Version
Do Not Cause Another to Stumble
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
James 5:20
New International Version
20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
I accept the fact that my actions have consequences. I accept the fact that God will not do things for me that I “can” do for myself. He will not wash my truck for me, clean up the house for me, behave for me, read this book (that He has also graciously given me).
I accept and am humbled that God will do for me things I cannot do for myself. Things I haven’t even thought of, never would think of, never have thought of, things that in His mercy and grace will always be good for me.
God is a verb, relationships are a verb, studying is a verb, growing emotionally is a verb, love is a verb and showing up happy, grateful, loving and willing is a verb. Fighting sin is a verb. And giving thanks to the Lord EACH AND EVERY DAY — for all I have been given, all that I don’t deserve — IS A VERB.
Thank you, Jesus for my health, my life, the opportunities in my business, the money in my bank account, thank you for another day to minister to my children, for a list I could’ve never made for myself, an opportunity to serve in my church, tithe my church, behave myself, clothe myself, drive myself to work and bible study, to ask forgiveness for my STUPID nature, my sins, all the ridiculously selfish ideas. Thank you for saving me from myself and any alliance I would surely make with the “minister of lies.”
I ACCEPT I COULD NOT HAVE DONE ANY OF IT WITHOUT YOU, MY GOD, the Alpha and Omega — who has no beginning and no end, may every breath I take be in service to the Lord and the direction of Jesus Christ, the risen King.
A bunch of years ago, I had a thought. I call it “The tale of three cities.” Pay attention.
The city of “It’ll Do Lou” says, I don’t have to do anything. It’s all cool ..whatever you’re not doing, it’s ok. It’ll Do Lou is a sorry, pointless existence and a waste of a person, worse, the waste of what God had prepared. “It’ll do Lou”, pretty self explanatory, I’m sure you’ve met plenty of employees who feel this way, unfortunately.
The city of Nowhere-ville is where people start projects and never finish. They talk about the great opportunities that ultimately yield nothing. Big ideas, important words, just foolishness, no gain, no pain, nothing to show for nothing, nothing, nothing, and then more talk and nothing, and more talk and nothing.…thusly “the city of Nowhere-ville.”
The city of “Fiduciary” is what needs to be done. It’s option #3 and there is no plan B. My name is Patrick and I am responsible. Responsible for my actions good and bad, responsible to God for my work, my ministry, my job. I admit my mistakes and in the grace of God try and straighten things out. I accept the life He has given me and am grateful everyday for the challenges He puts before me. I ask to be in your service all the days of my life, my Lord in heaven. Thank you for the list and the mercy received by you, the strength and wisdom received by you, discernment, knowledge and direction to achieve “better than best.” Fiduciary duty is my assignment, and I accept; “God is a verb.”
Ephesians 2:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
You’re either a thermostat or a thermometer? Either you change the temperature in the room, or simply note the temperature in the room. Be a game changer, a life maker, a destiny seeker, a God given Jesus Christ bible studied superstar by His Holy Grace and in His Holy Grace.
Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Our buddy, C.S. Lewis quotes: “It is not your business to succeed, but to do right. When you have done so the rest lies with God.”
Amen, brothers and sisters, stay cool, be grateful, gracious and do the job. Being a Christian, God, salvation – it’s a verb. Accept these things and prosper, end the day as a winner, even if the struggle seems to overcome you. Rest, eat and prepare, you will fight again and in Him you will never, ever — lose.
Matthew 25:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV)
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
AMen…
