Most of us spend our entire lives trying to earn acceptance. We try to earn it from our parents, peers, our congregation, partners in life, people we respect, and maybe even people we envy. The desire to be accepted is a deep drive that can influence the kinds of clothes you wear, the kind of car you drive, the kind of house you buy, and even the career you choose.

Maybe as a kid you wanted so badly to join the in-crowd. So someone would say to you, “I dare you to do this,” and they’d suggest something that was either stupid or put your personal safety at risk. But you did it anyway because your desire to be accepted overruled the desire for safety.

The truth is, Jesus accepts you, and that acceptance is not based on your performance. In fact, you may have received Christ, but do you realize you’re able to do that because Jesus accepted you? You don’t have to earn his acceptance. You don’t have to prove yourself to him.

We need to stop thinking, “I’ve got an unpleasable God up there, and I’ve got to be a good boy or girl to be accepted.” God, through Jesus Christ, has already accepted you. That’s the Good News! 

The Bible teaches, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Psalm 27:10 NIV). Even today you may be trying to prove yourself to someone unpleasable in your life. You’re still attempting to earn that acceptance. 

If that’s you, you need to understand these two truths:

1. If you haven’t gotten their approval by now, you’ll likely never get it.

2. That is their problem, not yours.

You don’t need to be accepted by others to please God. If someone from the 7 billion people on this planet doesn’t like you, who cares? You don’t need their approval. God has already accepted you and loves you!