Impressing God

Scott Price

What is mankind looking for in their religion? It all boils down to the fact that they want to impress God. Different denominations are built on how this or that group will impress God. They want God's attention and favor. Yes, He is able to be impressed and, yes, He must be impressed for you to be accepted with Him. The problem is how they go about to impress.

False religion goes about to impressing their god by trying to establish a righteousness of their own to be accepted with him. God views the natural man as the most unimpressive creature, who is actually His enemy. Man lowers the standard of God, taking away His righteousness, holiness, justice, faithfulness, etc., and raises their view of themselves to be much better than God says they are. This gives Man certain characteristic and abilities that the true God does not ascribe to man in His holy Scriptures. The character attributes stripped from God makes Him an idol in man's imagination. Therefore we must conclude: a false god....false gospel...and false religion.

The gospel of grace describes the exclusive way of gaining acceptance with Him, thus impressing Him. That way is acceptance in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:6). The only way to impress God is by way of Representation. Christ must be that Representative. A person must have an absolute perfect righteousness to stand in the presence of a holy God. Christ must be our only righteousness. Man must be holy, without sin. Christ alone must be our sanctification. Man must meet the high standard of God to impress Him. This is only attainable "in Christ", with His righteousness imputed to one's account, in the state of justification. Christ alone is the only impressive One to the Father. To be found in Him is to be accepted by God.

Are you impressed with Him? Is it enough to cause you to repent of you supposed best deeds and efforts to please God for righteousness? If not, you are not yet impressed. May God give you the grace to believe on Him and repent of your self righteousness if you have not yet.