Real Unconditional Acceptance | John 9:35-38

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. — John 9:35-38 I absolutely love that after this man gets rejected and cast out by the religious authorities, Jesus went and sought him out. He intentionally looked for him and found him. He found him just like he found the disciples or the lame man by the pool. He sought them out because Jesus loves the unaccepted. Those who are like this man who was unsupported by his parents and rejected by spiritual leaders. But note, this was not "unconditional acceptance." Acceptance had a condition — a personal belief in Him combined with a public proclamation. I think a lot of people misunderstand the unconditional acceptance of Jesus. Yes, Jesus loves and accepts the rejected. He is even willing to seek them out and invite them into his acceptance. But this is not an unconditional "saving" acceptance. The Bible teaches that there are some who will and will not be saved. This is because there are some who will and will not accept Jesus. So yes, Jesus does "unconditionally accept" all people, but it only becomes unconditional "saving" acceptance only when we personally and publicly proclaim our faith in Him. So know this. Jesus accepts you. He accepts you just the way you are, but he doesn't want you to stay that way. Come without condition but know there is one condition — faith in him that must be personally and publicly proclaimed. And once you proclaim this you will know the power and potential of his unconditional "saving" acceptance that fuels a believer's life. And I promise, there is nothing like it. ASK THIS: How does the story of Jesus seeking out the rejected and accepting them without conditions resonate with your own experiences of feeling unsupported or rejected? How does this text offer you hope and assurance of Jesus's love for you? Consider the condition of personal belief in Jesus combined with a public proclamation as a requirement for the transformational power of His acceptance. How does this challenge and inspire you to examine your own faith and commitment to Jesus? In what ways can you personally and publicly proclaim your faith in Him to experience the fullness of His unconditional "saving" acceptance? DO THIS: Publicly proclaim your faith today. PRAY THIS: God, thank you for seeking out the rejected and offering unconditional acceptance. Help me believe in You and boldly proclaim my faith, experiencing the transformative power of Your love. Amen. PLAY THIS: No Longer Slaves. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller