Have you ever felt like you’ve had to earn someone’s acceptance or love? You feel that they will only accept you if you are smarter or more popular than you already are? That you can only earn their love by being an all-star on a sports team or voted onto Homecoming Court? Sometimes we feel like we have to earn the right to be loved, but then it seems like no matter how hard we try, it never is good enough.
But did you know that you were created, just the way you are, by God? The Bible says that every person—including you—is “wonderfully made”. God “formed” you and “intricately” created you (Psalm 139:13-15). God loves you for who you are and for who he created you to be. No matter how you feel, no matter what you’ve done, God still loves you and will accept you…no matter what!
Even though God is perfect, we are not. God knows everything about us. He knows the good things that we do and the bad things that we don't want anyone to know about. The Bible says that we all have done bad things (sins) and that we all deserve to be punished for doing them (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
But God loves us so much that he sent his very own Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and take the punishment we deserve. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son [to die for our sins], that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Then Jesus came back to life and was seen by hundreds of people before going home to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)!
Isn't that great news?! Jesus opened up the way for you to have a home in heaven (where one day, everything will be perfect)! But first, you must agree with God that you've sinned, trust that Jesus forgave you when he was on the cross, and want with all your heart to live in a way that pleases him. Those who believe in Jesus like this become God’s very own children (John 1:12). He wants you to experience his love, be part of his family and to help you every day.
And for everyone who believes, God promises that nothing—“neither death nor life…nor things present or things to come…nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
If you would like to accept God’s love and start a relationship with Jesus, you can express your heartfelt desire in words like these:
God, I confess that I’ve made mistakes. I know that I have sinned against you. Thank you for loving me– no matter what I have done—and for sending your son Jesus to die for me and suffer the punishment I deserved. Please come into my life and help me live a life that pleases you. Amen.