Accepted In The Beloved Series

Introduction

Every person has a deep, fundamental need for acceptance. We long to be valued, welcomed, and loved for who we are. We fear rejection, and so we often spend our lives trying to earn the approval of others. Paul now brings the glorious truths of our choosing (v. 4) and adoption (v. 5) to their ultimate climax. He shows us that in Christ, we have received the one acceptance that truly matters, and it was all done for one magnificent purpose: the glory of God.

I. The Ultimate Goal: The Glory of His Grace

Paul reveals God's highest motive in salvation. It is not ultimately about us; it is about Him.

A. God's Purpose is His Praise: "To the praise of the glory of his grace..."

The entire plan of salvation—from election before time to our final glorification in heaven—is designed to put the magnificent character of God on display. The universe is the theater for His glory, and our redemption is the main event, showcasing the supreme beauty of His grace.

B. Our Calling is to Worship:

If God's purpose is His praise, then our primary calling is to be worshipers. Our lives are meant to be a living testimony that points away from ourselves and toward the glorious grace of the God who saved us.

II. The Divine Action: The Gift of Acceptance

How exactly does God's grace operate? It changes our fundamental standing before Him.

A. We Are "Graced" by God: "...wherein he hath made us accepted..."

The Greek phrase "made us accepted" comes from the same root word as "grace." It could be translated as He has "graced us" or "highly favored us." This is not something we achieve; it is a status God bestows. We do not make ourselves acceptable to God; by His grace, He declares us so.

B. A Finished and Final Status:

This action is in the past tense. He hath made us accepted. Our acceptance is not a fragile state we might lose with our next mistake. It is a settled, permanent verdict based on His unchanging grace. You are not on probation; you are a permanent member of the family.

III. The Unshakeable Ground: The Person of Christ

Our acceptance is rock-solid because it does not rest on us. It rests entirely on Another.

A. The Identity of "the Beloved": "...in the beloved."

This beautiful title refers to only one Person: Jesus Christ. He is the Son in whom the Father is "well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). He is the one who is eternally and perfectly loved and accepted by the Father.

B. Our Acceptance is His Acceptance:

We are accepted in Him. Our acceptance is not based on our own loveliness, but on our union with the Beloved Son. When the Father looks upon a believer, He sees them clothed in the righteousness of Christ. God's perfect acceptance of His Son becomes our perfect acceptance.

Conclusion

Are you tired of striving for acceptance? Are you weary from the fear of rejection? The Gospel declares that the work is finished. Through the magnificent grace of God, you have been made completely and permanently accepted—not because of who you are, but because of whose you are. You are "in the Beloved." Let this truth silence your fears, end your striving, and cause your entire life to become a song of praise to the glory of His grace.