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To Be Acceptable We all like to be accepted.

Whether we are talking about family, friends or co-workers, we all prefer to be accepted over being excluded. We are going to talk about something much more important than being accepted by family, friends and co-workers in this study. How may we be acceptable to Jesus Christ? The Greek word "charin" (khar'-in)only appears in the New Testament a few times, and it is most often utilized by Luke and Paul. "Charin" is the accusative of the Greek word "charis" (khar'-ece). The accusative is a grammatical case that marks or points to an object. The word "charis" means a divine influence on the heart. It may be described as the love found between God and man. "Charin" always points to the object "charis", whether in actuality or implied. This divine influence on the heart, and the resulting love, is the object of our study. As in relationships of love we have with each other, our love with God must be a two-way street. We are going to take a look at God's love towards man to begin. Let's open our Bibles to Galatians. Galatians 3:16-17 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not. "And to seeds," as of many; but as of one, "And to thy Seed,". Which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. The law did not change the promise. Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. The word "gave" in this verse is from the Greek word "charin". Remember, "charin" is in the accusative case and must point to an object. The object is "charis" which is a divine influence upon the heart. "Charin" has been translated " because of". When you supply the object which is required, you have "because of God's love for Abraham". It is important that God loves you. That is where true blessings may be found. That is where true peace of mind may be found. That is where your salvation may be found. Because of God's love for you, He gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross for your sins. Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. What was the purpose of the law? It was given because of the transgressions of man, until the seed line came of Christ. Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. God spake directly to Abraham. He did not need a mediator. Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. The law could not give eternal life. Why? Because man is not capable of being sinless. We all fall short. God loves us enough to forgive those sins, when we believe on Jesus and repent. Be honest with Him. It is foolish not to be honest with God. You see, He can read your mind and heart. Galatians 3:22-23 But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that belive. 23 but before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Before the availability of faith in Jesus Christ, man was kept under the law. Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The law is still a good schoolmaster. What makes us acceptable? Faith. Friends, there is no way to bluff your way through this one. You either have faith, or you don't have faith. Galatians 3:25-26 But after that faith is come , we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. This is not to say we are not to follow the law to the best of our ability. Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law, not to destroy the law (Matt. 5:17). We now have the Holy Spirit. Most of you have felt that warmth when He touches your heart. That is the object of "Charin". That is the divine influence upon the heart we are considering in this study. Now, let's take a look at the other side of the two-way street, man's love towards God. We are going to turn to Luke. The scriptures we will cover are unique to this Book, meaning you won't find differing accounts of the same subject in the other gospels. Luke 7:36-37 And one of the Pharisees desired Him that He would eat with him. And He went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, The alabaster box contained an expensive ointment, no doubt. So you will understand what is about to happen, it is important that you know when they sat down at meat, they actually reclined. Luke 7:38 And stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. What may we gather from this scripture? The woman was no doubt a sinner. She found out YHVH's Saviour, Jesus, was at this particular Pharisee's house and boldly went there seeking forgiveness. She demonstrated her sincere love for Christ by her actions. Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman thisis that toucheth Him: for she is a sinner." This Pharisee was no doubt one of the "holier than thou" group. He certainly wasn't demonstrating love towards Christ. The Pharisee certainly didn't understand that Messiah was in his presence. In fact, he questioned whether Jesus was even a prophet. Remember, the Pharisee didn't say these things aloud. Luke 7:40-42 And Jesus answering said unto him, "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee." And he saith, "Master, say on" 41 " There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most?" Now, there is a large difference between five hundred pence and fifty pence. Do you think the Pharisee has caught on to the fact that he is one of the debtors yet? Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose that he to whom he forgave most." And He said, unto him, " Thou has rightly judged." The Pharisee had no problem correctly discerning a problem concerning money. Luke 7:44-45 And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, " Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for My feet: but she hath washed My feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head 45 Thou gavest Me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not eased

to kiss My feet. The woman could not stop showing her heartfelt love for the Savior. Luke 7:46-47 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed My feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many are forgiven: for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." "Wherefore" is better translated "because of ". The word "for" in verse 47 is from "charin". The English simply doesn't catch the meaning Christ would have us understand from this scripture. Because of her divinely inspired love for Jesus Christ her many sins were forgiven. Her love touched Christ's heart. He also wants your love. He has feelings just like you and I. I believe it just makes His day when His children share this divinely inspired love with Him. Luke 7:48 And He said unto her, "Thy sins are forgiven." He will forgive your sins as well.

Luke 7:49-50 And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves, "Who is This That forgiveth sins also?" 50 And He said to the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." This woman will have peace from this point on. She will receive His blessings. She will prosper. The old sins are washed away and she was given a fresh start. Do you have this peace in your life? If not, I encourage you to do as this woman did. Humble yourself before Him that is able to forgive your sins and give you a fresh start. Ask the Holy Spirit to touch your heart with the divinely inspired love we have been discussing in this message. Don't get so caught up in self that you can't share this love with God. If you are caught up in self, you probably won't be accepted by others, and most importantly you won't be accepted by Him. Think about it. In His Service, Arnold Murray

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