Scripture
to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
— Ephesians 1:6 (ESV)
Devotional
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.
Reflection
Accepted in the Beloved is more than cleared paperwork. It is divine complacence—delight—toward worms, mortals, sinners, because we are in Jesus. Not accepted in your experience. Not accepted in yesterday’s warm feelings. In the Beloved. When conscience storms and Satan lists your failures, do not climb into your own performance for shelter. Stay where grace put you. The gospel’s privilege is Christ Himself as your standing before the Father.
Goad
Are you still measuring acceptance by your experience this morning, or by the Beloved in whom the Father has already blessed you?
Tie-In
Morning rests accepted in the Beloved. Evening hears Jesus move the “if” from His power to our believing. Standing in Him, then trusting Him—one gospel from dawn to dusk.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.