An Approved Worker : Part 2

Missed Part 1? Listen here! An Approved Worker II Timothy 2:15-19 During the 1970s, Keith Hernandez was one of baseball's top players with a lifetime batting average of .300. He won numerous Gold Glove awards for his excellent fielding. He won a batting championship for the highest average, the MVP award in his league, and two World Series titles. Yet with all his accomplishments, he missed out on something important to him ‑‑ his father's acceptance and recognition that what he accomplished was valuable. Here's what Keith had to say in a candid interview about his relationship with his father: "One day I said, 'Dad, I have a lifetime .300 batting average; what more do you want?' His father replied, 'Someday you're going to look back and say, "I could have done more.'" What a sad story! Within the human psyche, there is a deeply rooted desire for acceptance and approval. Yet with all the fame and fortune that went with his baseball career, Keith couldn’t buy what he wanted most, the acceptance and approval of his dad. It’s sad, this insight into Keith’s life is closer to being the rule than the exception. With the breakdown of family, divorce, and the pursuit of pleasure and possessions, many young people are not receiving the acceptance and approval they so desperately seek, especially from their fathers. So, they turn to all kinds of bizarre activities and behavior to fill that aching void in their lives; to try to find acceptance and approval among their peers. This should fill us with sadness because the loss of something so valuable has ongoing consequences in many areas of life. This lack of parental approval and acceptance is sad, even tragic. But even more tragic in the lives of many people is the lack of approval and acceptance with God. While God loves and cares for every human being, the Bible makes it clear that the only way to acceptance with God is through Jesus Christ. The only way to bridge the gap that separates sinful humanity from an absolutely holy God is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Paul’s letters to Timothy highlight this truth.  Acceptance with God comes through our salvation, our new birth. In writing to the Ephesians Paul reminds his readers that they have been “accepted in the beloved,” accepted in God’s family, “[by] redemption through [Jesus’] blood,” Ephesians 1:6 and 7. This is the ONLY way you and I can be accepted by God. The Scriptures make it very clear that no amount of good works on our part can make us acceptable with God; only the blood of Christ can do that. Understand, however, that acceptance and approval are two different concepts. Our approval from God is based on our works that are motivated by His indwelling presence. Remember what God said at Jesus’ baptism? “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus was approved because He was submitting Himself to the Father’s will. Likewise, our obedience secures for us the approval of our Heavenly Father. Think about it this way. My children always have my acceptance; at least at a certain level because they are part of me, they are family. Though I may disown them (God forbid) I cannot change the fact that they are part of me. However, they do not always have my approval. I’m not always pleased with what they do. So, while I accept them for who they are, I withhold approval for their wrong behavior or foolish choices. And I extend approval when they do what is praiseworthy, right, and good. Let’s turn now to our text, Second Timothy 2:15 to 19 to learn how you and I