ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

APRIL 27

 

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

 
Jesus is the BELOVED ONE.
 
HIs Father loved him infinitely and eternally. 

    All his people who know him, love him. 

    All that is loveable is found in him, and “he is altogether lovely.”
 
His person, his character and his conduct, are most lovely.
 
All his people approach God through him, placing their entire dependence upon him.
 
They are united to his person, and are viewed as one with him. Viewed in him they are pleasant, acceptable, and lovely in the sight of God. He calls them “all fair,” and pronounces them to be without “spot.”
 
My dear friends, in ourselves we are deformed, loathsome, and most offensive to infinite purity; but in Jesus we are clean, righteous, and comely.
 
As clothed with his righteousness, 

   God pronounces us just; as filled with his Spirit, 

       God calls us lovely.
 
Never let us expect acceptance with God, but through Jesus; not let us doubt our acceptance if we come unto God by him; for Jehovah glorifies and commends his grace to universal admiration, by accepting us in “THE BELOVED.”
 
As believers, we are now accepted, nor shall we ever be more accepted.
 

Accepted in Jesus, and perfectly too,

I fain would in all things my gratitude show;

I’d live to his honour, and walk in his light,

Till perfectly holy I stand in his sight.

 
James Smith