Accepted in the Beloved Ephesians 1:6

Paul the apostle told the Ephesian church members that God has “chosen us in him before the foundation of the world” and the reason was “that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”. Paul declared us as “predestinated” “unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself”, and he did this “according to the good pleasure of his will”. In chapter one and verse six of his letter, Paul declared this was done “to the praise of the glory of his grace” as He “has made us accepted in the beloved” where we read:

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.

The verse begins, “To the praise of the glory of his grace,...” Paul began with the phrase, “to the praise” or “unto, among and toward the approbation and commendation” “of the glory” which means “opinion, judgment, view and estimate, splendor and brightness” “of his grace” which refers to “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, goodwill and unmerited favor”. The Lord's reason for blessing us with “predestination” was that “praise” would be given to Him for His “unmerited favor” toward us.

The verse goes on to say, “...wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.” Paul added, “wherein” or “in, by and wherewith” “he has made us accepted” which is the Greek phrase “charitoō hēmas charitoō” which means “to make graceful, charming, lovely, agreeable, compassed with favor, honor and blessings” “in the beloved” which refers to “people who welcomed, entertained, fond of and loved dearly”. Because the Lord's “grace” has been poured out upon us, we are “accepted” as his “welcomed and dearly loved” people.

When we think through these words of Paul, we understand “the glory of his grace” is the reason the Lord Jesus “predestinated us unto the adoption of children”. Because we are undeserving of His “adoption”, the fact we are His children proves He is a gracious and loving God. He has made us “agreeable, favored and honored” because of His “grace”, and our part is to simply “glory” in it. If we consider this long enough, we will “shout unto God with a voice of triumph” and give “glory” to His Holy name!

Next time Paul shares how we have “redemption through his blood”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.