Accepted by God! Word for today by Bob & Debby Gass He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV Theres no pain worse than rejection and no pleasure greater than acceptance, which helps explain the length some people go to in order to avoid rejection and earn acceptance. But the good news is, with God youre already accepted. J.B. Phillips translates Ephesians 1:6 like this: He...has made us welcome in the everlasting love He bears towards the Son. And thats not limited to those who appear worthy because of their good deeds and a flawless moral record; its for every believing child of God! Cromwell once commissioned a self-portrait. The artist, courting Cromwells favour, portrayed him without his obvious imperfections. Cromwell was livid. I said paint me, man - me, warts and all! Youre accepted by God, warts and all. But note: (1) Gods acceptance doesnt equal His approval. He accepts sinners, but He can never accept our sin. Indeed, His free gift of acceptance is our greatest motivator to renounce our sin and live to please Him (Titus 2:11-12). (2) Gods acceptance is unconditional. He doesnt say, Youre accepted if you clean up your act. In the words of Jeremiah, Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil (Jeremiah 13:23 NLT). Gods acceptance has to be unconditional, because its impossible for us to merit it. (3) Gods acceptance is because of Jesus. Youre accepted in the Beloved. The doomed Mephibosheth was accepted because of Davids relationship to his beloved friend Jonathan (2 Samuel 9). And as long as God accepts Jesus, and you trust in Jesus, youre accepted as well.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 10:06:05 +0000
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