Most Christians can look back and describe the day they “accepted Christ.” This may have been some sort of physical act—a silent prayer, a walk down an aisle, a stick thrown into the fire to mark our new allegiance.

But the longer I have been a pastor the more “accepting Christ” rings hollow. To me it sounds more and more like a work—something we do to earn the favor of God. It’s a commitment, but that doesn’t mean there is faith. A gap exists between us accepting Christ and Christ accepting us.

Trust God's work, not your own

Good works do not please or appease him. Our favor with him is based on our trust in his work, not ours. And is that not what most exhortations to accept Christ mean?  “Make a commitment and God will save you.” Not so subtly, we have preached commitment as salvation. And, then, even worse, growing in our walk with Jesus is reaching ever-higher planes of commitment.

Commitment is a result of salvation. Devotion to Christ flows from belief, not from volition. It is an act of heart, not will. Is it no wonder then, so many question their salvation? They question because they think their justification with God is based on commitment, and when their commitment wanes, they sense they might not really be a Christian. They are counting on their commitment to save them, not Jesus.

Woe to those who are deeply committed and blameless in their devotion—for, except by grace, they will never see their grand mistake. Do not put your hope in the fact that you have accepted Christ. Hope in the fact that Christ has accepted you.