"Approved"

“Approved”

When walking into our church auditorium recently I was greeted by an usher who’s also a friend and resident of our community. We did some good-natured trash talking which led to his telling me he knew he was approved of when he was told so by a credit card reader at a local retail store (remember those?). I thought about this when I got home and wondered what made his card (or any of ours) acceptable. I concluded that paying on time, keeping balances within our limit and wisely using the privilege of buying on credit are likely the major factors. I try to practice these principles as I avail myself of this convenience in my purchases and meeting other commitments.

My mind then went to how and why I’m approved by God. The Greek word for “approved” means basically “of good reputation”. It’s used in Romans 16:10 where we read, “Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.” (Emphasis added). (This is the only reference to this man in Scripture.) Paul must have seen something in Apelles’ life to write this about him. I pray that God would be able to say the same about me.

In his outstanding book The Search for Significance Robert McGee describes five qualities which show we’re approved by God. Each one rebuts one of our enemy’s lies about us in his attempts to drag us down. Here they are with God’s answers (emphasis added in each case):

   I am deeply loved (“I have loved you with an everlasting love….”—Jeremiah 31:3).

   I am completely forgiven (“…The blood of Jesus, {God’s} Son, purifies us from all sin.”—1     John 1:7).

   I am fully pleasing (“…God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be     sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of         God.”—2 Corinthians 5:21, Phillips).

   I am totally accepted (“…{God} made us accepted in the Beloved {i.e. Christ}.”—               Ephesians 1:6, NKJV).

   I am complete in Christ (“…In {Christ} you have been made complete….”—Colossians     2:10, NASB).

Each of these qualities can be found in Jesus’ account of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). And in each of our life’s stories as well. Think of how God has made you significant in His sight and thank Him for it!

Back to Apelles—could I paraphrase his “scriptural biography” with “Greet Jim, tested and approved in Christ”?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan