The Bible has much to say about receiving and responding to divine messages and invitations. The concept of an “application received” can refer to God’s acceptance and approval of someone or something presented for consideration. Here are some key biblical teachings related to this idea:
1. God examines the heart – When people come to God in faith or present offerings and sacrifices, he looks past outward appearances to the sincerity and state of their heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Only if their heart attitude is right will their “application” be received.
2. God desires humility and repentance – He rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). True repentance is key for God to receive someone. He will not despise a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).
3. Faith pleases God – Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When people come to him in loving trust and obedience, not doubting but believing his promises, their “application” of faith finds acceptance.
4. God calls people to repentance and faith – The Bible contains many “invitations” to turn to God through Christ and receive forgiveness and new life. When people respond in repentance and faith, God delights to say their “RSVP” to his invitation has been received (Luke 15:7).
5. Christ’s sacrifice sanctifies offerings – Any offerings presented to God can only find acceptance through the sanctifying power of Christ’s sacrifice. He makes them holy and pleasing to God (Hebrews 10:10).
6. Obedience brings blessing – When God’s people obey his commands and walk in holiness, they demonstrate their love for him. He promises to bless their faithful obedience (John 14:21). Their “application” to walk in his ways is joyfully received.
7. Right motives matter – God cares not just about outward actions but also the motives behind them. Doing good things for selfish reasons will not impress him. Genuine love and righteous motives are required (James 4:3).
8. God’s approval brings joy – When believers sense the smile of God on their lives and efforts to serve him, it brings great joy. His receiving their “application” for use in his kingdom is their delight (Psalm 4:6-7).
9. Rejection of Christ brings judgment – The Bible warns that to reject Christ’s sacrificial offer of salvation is extremely serious. There will be nosecond chances after death (John 3:18). The opportunity to have one’s “application” to follow Christ received is limited to this earthly life.
10. God’s acceptance is by grace – No one deserves to have their “application” to God receive his approval. His gracious acceptance is only due to the redeeming work of Christ applied by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The proper response is profound gratitude.
11. Holiness is required of God’s people – Believers are called to lives of practical holiness and obedience out of love for God. Wilful ongoing sin can indicate a lack of true faith and repentance (Hebrews 12:14). Only applications for holy living are received.
12. Right standing produces good works – When people receive God’s gift of righteousness by faith, they are empowered to do good works that please him. These corroborate the “application” of saving faith he has received (James 2:14-26).
13. Heaven rejoices over sinners repenting – Jesus said there is joy in heaven whenever sinners repent and turn to God (Luke 15:10). The angels celebrate God’s receptive response to the “application” of faith and repentance from a lost sinner.
14. Judgment awaits unbelief – The Bible warns that on Judgment Day many will claim to know Christ but will be rejected, not having lived in obedient faith. Mere outward religion will not suffice (Matthew 7:21-23).
15. God remembers every good work – Nothing done out of love and faith in Christ is forgotten by God. Every act of service and sacrifice receives his affirming “application received” stamp (Hebrews 6:10).
In summary, the idea of an application being “received” has deep biblical ties. Key factors include repentance, faith, obedience, love, holiness, humility, sincere motives, and the sanctifying work of Christ. When these are present, God delights to receive people’s prayers, worship, service and sacrifices. We can take great joy and assurance in knowing that the loving God we serve is eager to accept and affirm everything offered to him from upright hearts of faith.
The Bible frequently speaks of God receiving, accepting, or approving of those who come to him in faith and obedience. When people repent of their sins and put their trust in Christ for salvation, God delights to receive them as his dearly loved children. Their application to follow Jesus – signified through baptism, joining a church community, obeying God’s word, offering prayers and praise – is joyfully received and affirmed by their heavenly Father.
Jesus told several parables, including the Prodigal Son and the Wedding Banquet, that illustrate God warmly welcoming those who accept his invitation into his kingdom. When the wayward young son repented and returned home, the father received him with open arms and celebrated his recovery. When wedding guests accepted invitations to come, they were ushered in to enjoy the feast. Likewise, God rejoices over every sinner who repents and receives his offer of redemption through his Son.
The Bible assures believers that God also receives their acts of devotion, service, and giving when these are done in love and sincerity. Hebrews 6:10 states “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” When Christians pray, worship, give generously, serve others, study the Bible, proclaim the gospel, and obey God’s commands, he is pleased. Their sacrificial offerings, both spiritual and material, receive his divine stamp of approval and acceptance when done in faith.
Of course, God examines people’s hearts and cannot be fooled by outward religiosity when the heart is far from him. But when believers approach him with humility, gratitude, and sincere devotion, desiring to please and honor him, he gladly receives their worship and service. The Bible encourages Christians that they can find great purpose, meaning, and joy in pouring out their lives in love to God as an act of worship – and be confident he accepts and delights in their offerings to him.
However, the Bible also contains solemn warnings about failing to have one’s application to follow Christ received. Jesus told of wise and foolish virgins, some of whom waited too long and missed the wedding banquet. He warned of useless servants who buried their master’s talents and lost their reward. And he described good religious people whom he will reject because he never knew them. Tragically, not everyone who assumes their application to enter God’s kingdom will be accepted when Jesus returns.
The message is clear: we must respond to God’s gracious invitation by receiving Christ as Savior and Lord without delay. We should constantly examine our hearts and lives to be sure our faith is genuine and our love for God sincere. We must make our calling and election sure, as Peter exhorts, giving diligence to grow in holiness and avoid being lukewarm or backsliding. When we do, we can joyfully rest, pray, worship, and serve each day in the confident hope that God is pleased to receive and affirm our devotion to him.
In conclusion, the idea of God “receiving” a person’s application to follow and serve him is a biblical concept. Divine acceptance comes to those who turn from sin and embrace Christ by faith. Believers also find assurance that their loving service and heartfelt worship are welcomed by their Heavenly Father when offered with pure motives. However, neglecting God’s gracious invitation or becoming spiritually complacent is dangerous. As Scripture makes clear, the time to have one’s application joyfully received is limited to this earthly life. No one should put off responding wholeheartedly to the Gospel’s message of redemption through Jesus Christ.
The Bible contains several stories and parables that illustrate the concept of God “receiving” or accepting people’s response when they apply wisdom principles or obedience to his ways. Here are some key examples:
– The Parable of the Ten Virgins – In this story, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins waiting for a wedding feast. Five were prepared with oil when the bridegroom came and were accepted into the banquet. The other five were unprepared and shut out from the celebration (Matthew 25:1-13). The message is to remain spiritually ready to be received by God.
– The Parable of the Talents – A master entrusted his servants with different amounts of money. Two invested them profitably, while one buried his talent. The master welcomed and rewarded the productive servants, but cast out the unprofitable one (Matthew 25:14-30). Using our gifts and abilities wisely leads to God’s acceptance.
– Jesus Receives Children – When the disciples tried to prevent children from approaching Jesus, he rebuked them, saying the kingdom belongs to the childlike. He welcomed the children, illustrating God’s acceptance of those who humbly seek him (Mark 10:13-16).
– Mary Anoints Jesus – Mary extravagantly anointed Jesus with expensive ointment. Some disciples objected to the waste, but Jesus applauded Mary’s lavish act of worship. Her offering was gratefully received (John 12:3-8).
– The Rich Young Ruler – A wealthy seeker asked Jesus how to obtain eternal life. When told to sell his possessions and give to the poor, he went away sad. Though morally upright, his love of riches prevented him from receiving Christ’s prescription for salvation (Luke 18:18-23).
– Zacchaeus Repents – The corrupt tax collector Zacchaeus repented after meeting Jesus, vowing to make restitution and give to the poor. Jesus declared salvation had come to him that day. Zacchaeus’ change of heart was joyfully received (Luke 19:1-10).
– The Book of Acts – The early church multiplied rapidly as thousands responded positively to the apostles’ message about Jesus. The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved, accepting all who applied through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:41, 47).
These examples and many others help demonstrate that God stands ready to receive all who turn to him. When people apply God’s principles of grace, wisdom, repentance, obedience, generosity, faith and humility, they find divine acceptance. On the other hand, self-reliance, apathy, pride, and hard-heartedness can shut a person out from God’s kingdom. The Bible urges us to ensure we daily receive God’s offer of mercy through Christ and live in a manner that affirms we belong to him.
In 9000 words, it is challenging to fully unpack all that the Bible teaches about having one’s “application received” by God. However, in summary, key biblical themes include:
1. God looks at the heart – Outward piety alone does not impress God. He examines inner motives and desires. Only sincere applications find divine acceptance (1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 4:12-13).
2. Faith pleases God – Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He welcomes those who come to him in loving trust, believing he rewards the diligent (Hebrews 11:6; Proverbs 3:5-6).
3. Obedience brings blessing – God accepts those who walk in his ways and keep his commands. Obedience demonstrates the sincerity of our love (John 14:15; John 15:10; 1 John 5:3).
4. Repentance is key – God rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble and contrite. Sincere repentance is necessary for God to receive us (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 51:17; Luke 15:7).
5. Forgiveness is offered to all – Christ’s death provides payment for sin and the offer of redemption to everyone. Those who apply it through repentance and faith are welcomed by God (Acts 3:19; Romans 3:22-26; Hebrews 9:15).
6. Christ’s blood sanctifies – Access to God is only through Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood cleanses our offerings and makes them acceptable to a holy God (Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
7. Judgment awaits unbelievers – Though God has unlimited patience, Scripture warns of the consequences of rejecting God’s call to repentance and salvation through multiple appeals (John 3:36; Hebrews 2:3; Revelation 20:11-15).
8. God remembers service – Any good deeds done out of sincere devotion and faith in Christ receive God’s commendation. They demonstrate our love (Hebrews 6:10; Mark 9:41; 1 Corinthians 13:3).
9. Salvation must be applied – God’s gift of salvation must be personally received by repentance and faith in Christ. Just knowing truth is not enough (John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10).
10. Heaven celebrates conversions – All heaven rejoices when sinners repent. God and the angels delight in receiving those who come to Christ (Luke 15:10; Luke 15:7; Luke 15:32).
11. Do not delay – Scriptures exhort us to respond promptly to God’s call. Putting off salvation is dangerous, as life is both short and unpredictable (Proverbs 27:1; 2 Corinthians 6:2; James 4:13-14).
12. Endurance is necessary – Genuine faith perseveres to the end. We must not become discouraged or abandon the faith to ensure God keeps receiving us (Matthew 10:22; Galatians 6:9; Revelation 2:10).
13. Examine yourselves – Scripture encourages self-reflection to confirm our faith and repentance are authentic. This assures us of God’s acceptance (2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 1 John 1:5-7).
14. God’s grace is sufficient – We can never earn salvation. God receives us solely due to his generous grace and Christ’s merits. Our humility should match our gratitude (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:10).
15. Bear good fruit – Continuing in good works, spiritual growth and loving others confirms God’s reception of us as disciples of Jesus (Matthew 7:17-20; John 15:8; Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-26).
In conclusion, Scripture provides a wealth of insight on having one’s application “received” by God. From his generous offer of salvation to the joy of walking in obedience and seeing prayers answered, our heavenly Father wants to welcome us into his family and kingdom. A sincere heart of faith is key, along with genuine repentance and trust in Christ’s finished work. God stands ready to affirm all who apply his gracious gift of redemption, and to keep receiving the loving service of those who belong to him.