“ACCEPTED OF HIM!”

2 Corinthians 5:6-10                   (KJV)

“6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the LORD: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, AND WILLING rather to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY, and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, WE MAY BE “ACCEPTED OF HIM”. 10 For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST; that EVERY ONE may receive the things done in his body, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HATH DONE, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD.”

The English Standard Version (ESV) is the translation of Scripture that I most frequently use because I find it to be the the closest translation to the GREEK writings.  The King James Version (KJV) was the most widely used when the United States was being founded, being published in 1611 after being translated for over seven years!  Both have their strengths and weaknesses and today I elect to use the KJV, even though verse nine is translated in the ESV as “…we make it our aim to please HIM” instead of WE MAY BE “ACCEPTED OF HIM”.  

Even though the online GREEK uses the words “well pleasing to HIM” for verse ten, this humble servant finds it difficult to ascribe ANYTHING I do to be “pleasing to HIM”, but quite understanding for it to be “ACCEPTED OF HIM”.  The more I SEE of my “works”, the more convinced I am that there is NOTHING I do of myself that is worthy to present as worthy, even as a gift, to our CREATOR.  Even which translation of Scripture I use can be challenged as the correct way to HEAR that which HE is trying to get me to understand AT THE TIME.

There is little doubt in my brain damaged mind that I fail daily to do precisely that which HE would gain the most Glory from.  But PRAISE GOD HE doesn’t throw us away when we come up short in our lives.  HE used King David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba to ultimately bring marriage between the two and a son from that bond (King Solomon) would be used in the lineage of JESUS the CHRIST!

My imagination can surely SEE where GOD “could” use this broken, despicable vessel for HIS Glorious Plan. HE will shine through my imperfections, as HE did with King David’s unholiness, for HIS GLORY to be “ACCEPTED OF HIM”, but our “filthy rags” can be used TO MAGNIFY HIM!  Our “goodness” is not what we have to brag about, our bragging MUST be that we are “ACCEPTED OF HIM”, for HIS GLORY!!!