Ephesians 1:6–Accepted in the Beloved To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Paul’s theme here is the important one of acceptance with God. The apostle is writing to believers. He says that God has taken us to Himself. This is the wonder of the gospel, that a holy God has graciously received unworthy, damnworthy sinners. Have you been received by the Lord? Let us note what is involved. Firstly we must see the need for acceptance with God. If Paul can say to the Ephesians that they have been accepted by God then this implies that they were once not accepted. It is the constant message of the Bible that sin separates man from God. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit they broke the terms of communion with God under the first covenant and were cast out of the first paradise. Some say that we are all God’s children but Paul speaks of “the adoption of children by Jesus Christ” (v.5). Sin has made us all hateful to God and it is only by His mercy through the Saviour that any become His sons and daughters. If we are left as we are then we shall experience that final and unalterable separation from all that is good in the place and state the Bible calls hell. Secondly we learn the ground of acceptance with God. This is very important. There are so many pleas men devise for themselves! One man puts his trust in his own worthiness. “Surely God will accept me for the good that I have done!” he says, hoping that his good deeds will outweigh his bad ones. Another looks to his religion, believing that his creed is sound and his church the one God approves. Or a person’s confidence may be in the sacraments, or in sorrow for sin, and so on. All these things men may depend upon. What the Bible teaches us however is that acceptance with God has nothing to do with our person but with another Person altogether. Sinners are accepted “in the Beloved.” To whom does this precious name belong? It was of Jesus Christ that the voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.3:17). To this divine testimony the church adds her own: “This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song 5:16). The glorious truth is that in Jesus Christ sinners are not merely acceptable to God, but accepted, received once and for all, never to be rejected again. “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Thirdly we note the blessings in acceptance with God. When a sinner repents and believes the good news of Christ then blessings are enjoyed which are far above and beyond the common favours which all receive from the bountiful hand of God. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary the mother of our Lord that she was “highly favoured” or literally “much graced” (Luke 1:28). Paul employs the same word to indicate how privileged every believer is in being accepted by God. Here are three blessings. We have been elected, freely chosen by God in Christ in eternity past (v.4); we are redeemed, graciously pardoned by God in the blood of the Saviour (v.7); and we shall be glorified, finally perfected in His Son (vv.10-12). How thankful to the Lord saved sinners should be! Finally we consider the way to acceptance with God. How must we go to God? Listen to these words. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (v.12). It must be by faith alone in Christ alone. Have you ever understood what saving faith is? It is a renouncing of self-righteousness and a receiving of Saviour-righteousness. We lean upon Jesus Christ and His perfect obedience in the place of sinners. Friend, you must be accepted by God – and on His terms! Do not delay. Come to Christ as you are, confessing and forsaking your sins, and you will certainly be received with open arms. Jesus will become your Beloved too.