I am Accepted in the Beloved -- Accept It!

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

The moment that a man or woman accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the believer is OK in Christ. He receives an A+ in Heaven and on Earth before God:

"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." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

John confirms are perfected status in his First Epistle:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

And how is He, Christ Jesus?:

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

"Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)

Paul in Colossians depicts the Risen Christ is glory as well:

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 16-20)

Why do we care who Christ is now and where He is? John has already explained succinctly in his First Epistle:

"As he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

For the believer, there is no more striving to be good, but rather thriving in the goodness of God, which has lead us and continues us in repentance (cf Romans 2:4):

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness" (Romans 11:22)

Peter indicates that His godliness has been given to us, too:

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." (2 Peter 2: 2-3)

We are accepted, righteous, above all sinful power and preeminence in Christ, gifted with His godliness, supplied with His goodness.

You are accepted in the Beloved. You are more than a conqueror (cf Romans 8:37), one with Him (cf John 17:21), and nothing can separate you from Him (Romans 8: 38-39; Hebrews 11: 5-6)

Accept it: You are accepted in the Beloved!