More than a few people are confused about the concept of Jesus ‘accepting everybody.’ In my usual good-natured and light-hearted manner, I’ll attempt to clear up the confusion for anyone who’s interested.

America’s favorite bible verse (because it’s the ONLY bible verse most Americans know) is John 3:16. There are several translations but all of them essentially communicate the message that God so loved the world He sent His son so that whosoever believes in Him will have life for eternity. The misunderstanding happens when that verse is taken to mean that God ACCEPTS the world.

“John, you jerk!!! Of course God accepts the world!! You just quoted the Bible verse that proves it! LOL!!! Reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit!!!!”

The reason the English language has both the words, ‘love’ and ‘accept,’ is because they don’t mean the same thing. Sometimes love is at odds with acceptance. There are times when love requires rejecting certain behaviors, ideas, and principles.

For example, you can love your cat while not allowing it to jump onto the table and eat food off your plate. You can love your children and not accept them setting fire to the sofa. You can love a friend but not tolerate them lying to you. In fact, love demands that you not accept dishonesty!

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate signal that God DOES NOT accept the world. If God just accepted all of us in our sin-covered state, there wouldn’t be any need for Christ to wash that sin off. God does not ‘accept’ sin but because God loves the world, he had a plan for making the world acceptable. Jesus is the only way into God’s kingdom. You are not accepted on your own merits.

(Galatians 3:11) Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.