God's acceptability of any human being is an act of His love, mercy, grace and favour. This is clearly evident in God's interaction with the nation of Israel and the Gentiles. However, the Bible reveals that God does not open His arms to all who come to Him; there are heavenly conditions for acceptability. God accepts people who respond to him by faith. This is why we have categories of children in the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14), while the rest of us that are saved are His adopted children. Amongst the adopted children, there are golden, silver, wooden and earthen sons and daughters. Also, there are repentant and reliable as well as deceitful and unreliable children. What kind of child are you?

Although, God loves all His children, yet, not all of them please Him equally. While the unrepentant ones displease the Lord, the repentant and reliable ones please Him. In John 4:34 Jesus says, "...My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work". God's acceptability therefore depends squarely on our readiness to pay the price of loyalty and obedience to God. Jesus paid the ultimate price; He dumped His personal desires and aspiration for that of His Father's. What He enjoyed doing the most was making God very happy. Even when the task involved giving His life, He obliged. At the Garden of Gethsemane, when He was struggling between His own will and God's will, He gave up His (Matthew 26:39-42). No wonder God gave such a wonderful commendation of Jesus in Matthew 17:5:
"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him".

Hence, to be acceptable to God as a beloved son or daughter is not an easy task. It requires total submission to God's will and total obedience to His commandments. This translates to living our lives to please God in all ramifications. Some people are ready to please God only when the price is affordable or cheap. For instance, a beloved child of God will not struggle with paying tithe or placing personal preference on fashion, entertainment, and other social consideration above the Word of God. Are you ready to pay the price for God's acceptability?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.