“To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved.” ~ Ephesians 1:6
REFERENCE:
This focus verse carries immense significance for believers. It assures us that God deeply loves us and that we do not need to earn His love. Paul wrote to the Ephesians to instruct them about the new life and freedom in Christ, thanking God for His spiritual blessings upon believers and the unmerited grace for salvation. It is this grace that made us accepted in the beloved.
This acceptance to be part of God’s family is not based on our merits but on God’s boundless love and grace through Jesus Christ. To be accepted in the beloved means recognizing that our worth and identity are rooted in God’s unconditional love for us and not in our performance or achievements. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” I CHOSE YOU!
Sometimes, we struggle with self-doubt and self-love. We wonder if God is pleased with us, and the devil plagues our minds with thoughts of ‘God is not happy with you.’ Remember, however, that God loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8) and much more now that we are in Christ. In our brokenness and imperfection, God sent Jesus to die for us. Such sacrificial love is the undeniable proof that you are valuable and cherished before God, according to His choice.
You are accepted in the beloved, and God will not change His mind about you. You have a fixed place in God’s family; you are not a slave but a son, an heir, precious, and of great worth. Think of a child adopted into a loving family. Regardless of the child’s background, his new parents shower him with love and care; he doesn’t need to earn their love; it is freely given. As a child of God, you are adopted into God’s family; you don’t need to work hard to be accepted or loved.
So, never let satan’s deceitful whispers cloud your understanding of your true identity in Christ, and do not let doubts and feelings of unworthiness overwhelm you. If satan can lie to you about your identity or place in Christ, he will sabotage your destiny in Christ. Although God called Jesus His beloved Son at His baptism, satan’s first temptation was, ‘If you are the son of God…’ he wanted to attack Jesus’ sense of worth. God’s love for you is unwavering, and your salvation is a gift of grace. You are accepted in the beloved…always.
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
John 15:9, John 15:16, I John 3:1-2, and Jeremiah 31:3
PRAYER:
+ I free my mind from every lie and assault of the devil concerning my identity in Christ. I refuse to be lied to by satan and my circumstances.
+ I remain in God’s love and assure my heart that God loves me and will never change His mind about me.
+ I declare that I am loved, unique, chosen, beautiful, intelligent, doing well, blessed, and highly favored by God. I AM ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED!
