Freedom Calls

As children of the one true God, saved by the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, we are reminded of our privileged state in Ephesians 1:6: 

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” 

These words, penned by the Apostle Paul, hold a depth of meaning that transcends our finite understanding. Go back and read them again… “accepted”

The Greek word hints at divine delight or the satisfaction job well done.

We are not only justified before God, but we are also the objects of divine delight, loved and cherished by our heavenly Father.

 This truth is echoed in the writings of Charles Spurgeon, who notes that our acceptance is not based on our own experiences or emotions, but solely on our position in Christ.

Spurgeon writes,

“Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension… But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted.”

This fear, however, is unfounded. Our acceptance is not predicated on our feelings or performance, but on the unwavering perfection of Christ. As Spurgeon so eloquently puts it,

“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!”

This truth is reinforced by C.S. Lewis, who writes,

 “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” 

Our acceptance is not based on our inherent goodness, but on the goodness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith. This is a liberating truth, freeing us from the bondage of self-effort and the fear of rejection.

A.W. Tozer expands on this idea, stating, 

“The love of God is not a sentiment, but a fact. It is not a feeling, but a force. It is not a theory, but a reality.” 

This reality is grounded in the person of Christ, who is the beloved of God. Our acceptance is not based on our own merit, but on the merit of Christ, which is applied to us through faith.

Watchman Nee echoes this sentiment, writing, 

“The blood of Christ has made us acceptable to God… We are accepted not because of what we are, but because of what Christ is.” 

This truth is the foundation of our confidence, our joy, and our peace. We are accepted in the beloved, not because of our own worthiness, but because of Christ’s worthiness.

D.L. Moody summarizes this truth, stating, 

“We are not only pardoned, but we are accepted. We are not only forgiven, but we are justified. We are not only justified, but we are glorified.” 

This is the essence of our privileged state as children of God. We are not only saved from sin, but we are also accepted into the family of God, with all the rights and privileges that come with it.

Our acceptance in the beloved is a state of unwavering privilege. It is not based on our own experiences, emotions, or performance, but solely on the perfection of Christ. We are loved, cherished, and delighted in by our heavenly Father, not because of what we are, but because of what Christ is. 

May we rest in this truth, and may it bring us joy, peace, and confidence in our daily lives.

Scripture References:

Ephesians 1:6: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

1 John 3:1: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

Supporting Quotes:

Charles Spurgeon: “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!”

C.S. Lewis: “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”

A.W. Tozer: “The love of God is not a sentiment, but a fact. It is not a feeling, but a force. It is not a theory, but a reality.”

Watchman Nee: “The blood of Christ has made us acceptable to God… We are accepted not because of what we are, but because of what Christ is.”

D.L. Moody: “We are not only pardoned, but we are accepted. We are not only forgiven, but we are justified. We are not only justified, but we are glorified.”