For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is on Christ, there is a new creation: everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Jesus accepts all of us "As Is." He knows what we are and who we are. We are like beat up old cars that have seen better days. Young women who have aged because of neglect and mistreatment. Men who have been battered by life, war, alcohol and drugs. Children who die of disease. God knows all of us, and He gave us His Son to save us! We don’t deserve it, but His Grace is all around us. Just accept it and say, "Thank You!"

Salvation is not turning over a new leaf, but receiving a new life.

Our Daily Bread - November 16, 2004