“Accepted in the beloved.” — Ephesians 1:6

What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the term acceptance” in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacence, nay, even of divine delight. How marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only “in the beloved.” Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could…

but see that all their high joys do
not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them
in their Father’s sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never
alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always
without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would
be, and how much more they would honour the Saviour! Rejoice then,
believer, in this: thou art accepted “in the beloved.” Thou lookest within,
and thou sayest, “There is nothing acceptable here!” But look at Christ,
and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee;
but God has cast thy sins behind His back, and thou art accepted in the
Righteous One. Thou hast to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with
temptation, but thou art already accepted in Him who has overcome the
powers of evil. The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy
thee, for thou art accepted in Him who has broken Satan’s head. Know by
full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more
accepted than thou art. They are only accepted in heaven “in the beloved,”
and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner.

To make sure you never miss an episode, please subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.

Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen