This is what fills the God-shaped hole in every human heart.
"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'" - Matthew 25:21 ESV
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." - Romans 1:18-21 ESV
We need an infinite person to say 'Well done!' but the fall of man has made that seemly impossible.
If we don't get this the 'logic of the market' prevails. We start to look at relationships like profit/loss statements. Does this person help me? Does this person pull me down? A parent may say 'well done' and that means something but it is not enough. A person we respect greatly may say it. We can say, 'Well done.' to our self and other people can say it but this is a big statement said by small people. It doesn't fill that void. Our soul can't believe it because the boat still leaks and takes on water when trouble comes.
"And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.' " - Matthew 17:2-5 ESV
Those men must have been overwhelmed. They just heard what all of creation has been longing to hear since Adam was expelled from the garden. They heard the infinite God approve of a man. They heard what every person longs to hear and angry people who turn their back on God think they will never hear. The hopelessness that comes from thinking that void will never be filled is really at the root of why they are angry.
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' " - John 8:31-32 ESV
Part of the truth that frees us is that Jesus has won approval back. He came to represent all mankind and satisfied the anger of God and satisfied the standards of God. We can now hear the words 'Well done!' said to us in Christ and because of Christ.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
If the perfect, approved of, Savior saves us because we believe we are truly saved. If it is based on our effort our soul knows that that effort is flawed. Our performance can never produce something that will fill the void. It doesn't merit a 'well done' from an infinite God.
Jesus really is 'the praise' for all mankind and the right response from us is praise for Him and what He has done for us.
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