Th Bible avers that Jesus Christ, was a man approved of God (Acts 2:22) and since we are counseled to be imitators of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:1), we ought to be approved of God as well. But what does it mean to be approved of God? According to the Bible, to be approved of God, we ought not to glory in ourselves but solely glory in the Lord for he who commends himself is not approved, but approved is the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).
The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “commend” as the following:
To be commended is to be entrusted for care or preservation (or)
To be commended is to be recommended as worthy of confidence or notice.
In his prayer, Jesus entrusted his believers for care and protection to God the Father (John 17:15).
When we trust in Jesus, receiving and believing in him, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and made worthy unto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-55).
Points to ponder:
Are you approved of God? In other words, have you put your trust in Jesus and believed in his Name, so that he can entrust you to be kept safe from evil and secure in God the Father’s hand? When we believe, Jesus’ righteousness is imputed on us and we who are unworthy are made worthy to be called the children of God (John 1:12). Can God recommend you/me and deem you/me worthy of confidence and/or notice. Are you approved of God?
Acts 2:22
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
2 Corinthians :10:17-18 (KJV)
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth
Ephesians 1:12-15 (KJV)
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
