Being Approved by God
There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of his father in heaven, was approved by God. We know this because God himself tells us so from heaven. The first occasion is at Jesus baptism where God's spirit, in the form of a dove descends upon Jesus Christ, and Gods voice is heard from heaven.
“. . .After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God’s spirit coming upon him. 17 Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”” (Mt 3:16-17)
The second time God's voice is heard is during the transfiguration when Jesus takes three of his disciples up to a lofty mountain. The account states:
“. . .Six days later Jesus took Peter and James and John his brother along and brought them up into a lofty mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his outer garments became brilliant as the light. 3 And, look! there appeared to them Moses and E·li´jah, conversing with him. 4 Responsively Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, it is fine for us to be here. If you wish, I will erect three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for E·li´jah.” 5 While he was yet speaking, look! a bright cloud overshadowed them, and, look! a voice out of the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved; listen to him.”. . .” (Mt 17:1-5)
On the third occasion in which God's voice is heard, Jesus requests God's name to be glorified. In response, his father says:
“. . .Father, glorify your name.” Therefore a voice came out of heaven: “I both glorified it and will glorify it again.”” (Joh 12:28)
So on the first occasion, God tells us that his son is approved. On the second occasion, God tells us the same thing, and adds that we should listen to his son Jesus. On the third occasion, Jesus makes request that God's name be glorified. Hearing God's voice from heaven is not an everyday occurence, therefore these three occasions must be significant for us to consider.
Interestingly, the bible also teaches us that we too can become approved by God. It may not seem like this is possible, as we have fallen so far from perfection that to be even considered as approved by Jehovah seems like an impossibility to comprehend such a blessing, yet because of underserved kindness from him we have this hope.
Only God can judge a true heart...
So, how does one become approved by God?
To become approved by God, obviously one must posses the right heart condition. That's where it begins. Jehovah looks at the hearts(1Sam 16:7) of us imperfect humans and searches for those rightly disposed to receive the knowledge and understanding of him that will lead to everlasting life. (Jo 17:3)
First, he looks into our hearts, and once the approval process begins he draws this person to his son Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that:
“. . .No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him. . .” Joh 6:44
According to the scriptures, this drawing is the beginning of a process that will ultimately allow us to also draw closer to God.
During his ministry here on earth, Jesus Christ performed many miracles and signs to show that he was Gods son. From healing the sick, to feeding thousands of people from just a few loaves of bread and fish, and even raising the dead, and yet many of those people who saw these works still refused to believe that he was the son of God.
At one point he asks his disciples "Who are men saying the Son of man is?" They said: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them: “You, though, who do you say I am?” In answer Simon Peter said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In response Jesus said to him “Happy you are, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but my Father who is in the heavens did.” Mt 16:13-17
Why did all those who saw the many miracles of Jesus not see him as the Christ, yet the apostles did? Because God opened their eyes, and revealed to them that Jesus was the Son of God, just as Jesus told them.
Consider that the Pharisees saw the man Lazarus, dead for four days, raised up by Jesus, and still didn't recognize that he was the Son of God. Why?
Obviously, Jehovah did not reveal that Jesus was the son of the living God to the Pharisees because of their heart condition, and thus they were not drawn by the Father to him. They were not allowed to recognize Jesus as the only-begotten son of God.
Therefore before anyone can come to KNOW Jesus, and who he is, God must first draw the person to Jesus and reveal him to the individual.
That is the first step...
Intellectual capacity...
The next step is for Jesus Christ to do the same for his Father. Being that Jesus Christ is the perfect image, and reflection of his father, he is the only one who fully knows him. Jesus tells us that,
“. . .All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son but the Father, neither does anyone fully know the Father but the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.. . .” Mt 11:27
John also helps us to see this truth for he says,
“... we know that the Son of God has...given us intellectual capacity that we may gain the knowledge of the true one. And we are in union with the true one, by means of his Son Jesus Christ...” 1Jo 5:20
In a nutshell, Jehovah sees a person with a heart condition that is receptive, and open, and willing to make adjustments in their lives to become acceptable to his purpose and standards. Jehovah then draws this individual to Jesus, who is the perfect image of God, to serve as a gatekeeper of sorts. Once the individual begins reflecting the qualities of Jesus Christ in their lives, Jesus then at some point reveals the Father to the individual by giving them the intellectual capacity to gain the knowledge of Jehovah, the only true God.
The mere fact of knowing Jehovah, through his son Jesus Christ, is the validation that a person has been approved by God. This isn't just knowing Gods name, as the Pharisees obviously knew the name of God, but rather the individuals who are approved are given the intellectual capacity to gain the knowledge of Jehovah. Through Jesus Christ, a relationship with the creator can begin to grow, and as the person draws closer to God, Jehovah draws closer to them.
These individuals will then receive the blessings that Jehovah promises to those who love him, and want to worship him as the only true God, through Jesus Christ. These are the individuals who will receive his spirit, to help them bear more fruitage, to help them understand the deeper things of God, to help them in their trials and tribulations in this world, and God willing to make it into his eternal Kingdom.
“. . .Therefore, now that we have been declared righteous as a result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have gained our approach by faith into this undeserved kindness in which we now stand; and let us exult, based on hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but let us exult while in tribulations, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; 4 endurance, in turn, an approved condition; the approved condition, in turn, hope, 5 and the hope does not lead to disappointment; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit, which was given us.” Ro 5:1-5