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The Acceptance/Performance Treadmill – Part 3

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

Jesus loves you unconditionally and is committed to working with you. And the best part is He does not condemn you while He is doing it! Listen: "For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand, have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and [our] liability to the assaults of temptation" (Hebrews 4:15). Notice the word 'understand.' Jesus understands us when nobody else does. He even understands us when we do not understand ourselves! People see what we do and want to know why we are not doing it better - or even why we are doing it at all. But Jesus understands why we behave as we do. He understands the emotional wounds in our past. He understands what we were created for. He understands the temperament given to us at birth. He understands our struggles. He even understands the faulty foundation upon which we base our self-worth. And He not only understands, He cares! Once we enter into a personal relationship with Him, Jesus begins a process of relieving our pain, revealing our true value, and releasing our gifts. Bit by bit He restores everything Satan has stolen from us. And while all this is happening, God has positioned us securely 'in Christ', therefore we are always acceptable to Him. Salvation, including complete acceptance with God, which Jesus earned for us on the cross, becomes ours at the point of our Baptism which instills faith into our hearts – all freely by the Holy Spirit. Knowing that makes life wonderful!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your act of Mercy that gives me unearned Grace and Forgiveness – and acceptance by You! Help me live each day knowing that assurance! In Jesus' Name, Amen