In one of his sermons, Rev. King Duncan tells about a boy who was brought to see a child psychologist. The boy had been labeled “incorrigible.” He was moody. At first, he wouldn’t even talk.

His own father said, “This is the only child I’ve ever seen who doesn’t have a single likable trait. Not a single one.”

The psychologist took that as his starting point. He went looking for one thing he could approve of. He found several.

The boy loved to carve, and he was good at it. At home, he’d carved up the furniture, and been punished for it. So the psychologist bought him a set of carving knives and some soft wood. And he didn’t hold back. “You know, Jimmy,” he said, “you can carve things better than anybody I’ve ever known.”

Before long, he found other things to praise. Then one day, Jimmy surprised everyone. He cleaned his room without being asked.

When the psychologist asked him why, Jimmy said, “I thought you would like that.”

Duncan’s point was simple. When people feel accepted, they find the power to change.

That’s the order of grace. Paul wrote, “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Not after we cleaned up our room. While we were still sinners. The acceptance comes first. The change follows.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for loving us before we ever changed. Be near today to those who feel discouraged, worn down, or labeled. Give us eyes to see the good in one another, and the courage to say it out loud. Speak your word over each of us today: accepted, forgiven, loved. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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