ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. – Ephesians 1:5-6

REFERENCE
Ephesians 1:3-6.

Human beings are social beings, and so, it is natural for us to seek the company and acceptance of others. We desire to be liked, valued, loved, and especially to be accepted by those we are connected to. However, much as we want the acceptance of others, rejection often occurs in our everyday life.

Daily, people’s request/demands  for raises or loans are turned down, they are denied promotions or recognitions, refused visa or second chances, declined employment or commendations; but rejection is neither final nor failure. It is only destructive when we internalize it and allow it to creep into our belief system.

If left unchecked, rejection will control our attitudes, actions, and even our relationship with God. Sad to say, a lot of people today hinge their self-worth on people’s acceptance. Thus, they suffer low self-worth as a result of going through one form of rejection to another.

We cannot avoid rejection because we cannot control the way people feel about us. Some will like us automatically; while others may reject us without reason. But, irrespective of whatever rejection you have suffered –  divorce, separation, break-up in your relationship, kicked out of a job, not allowed into the clique by your friends, boss thinks you are not good enough…etc. I want you to know that you are not defined by the opinion of people, and people’s verdict about you is not final.

As a believer, God accepts you in the Beloved. His spread arms on the cross signify that with Him there is acceptance. Don’t set yourself up for rejection by always seeking man’s acceptance over God’s acceptance.   God chose you, He thinks highly of you, and calls you ‘special.’ That should form the basis for your worth; because God is supreme, and His opinions are supreme over all others.

The only way to combat rejection, and be satisfied with your acceptance level in life, is to constantly renew your mind with this truth: “The King of kings, thinks that you are all that…you are so valuable to Him that He paid with Jesus’ blood just to have unbroken fellowship with you!”  You are SIGNIFICANT!

SCRIPTURE PHOTO

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Psalm 27:7-10, John 1:11-13 & I Peter 2:8-9.

PRAYER POINT
Ask for the grace to always put yourself in remembrance of your position in Christ, and value the worth He has conferred on you; in spite of how people treat you, and their opinions about you.