By Andrew Williams
Ephesians 1:6 (NLT): And he did this through Christ, for God loved us and decided beforehand to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
Good morning fellow disciples.
Let us turn our hearts today to Ephesians 1:6 (NLT) which speaks of acceptance, a profound and unconditional acceptance that surpasses all human understanding.
This passage isn’t simply a statement of fact; it’s a declaration of love, a resounding affirmation of our worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Notice the emphasis on God’s decision. This wasn’t a response to our merits, our achievements, or our good behavior. It was a proactive act of grace, a choice made before the foundations of the world, a decision born out of God’s boundless love for each and every one of us. He decided to adopt us into His family. He wanted to do this. It gave Him great pleasure.
Think about the implications of this truth. We are not merely tolerated; we are cherished. We are not merely accepted; we are beloved. We are not merely included; we are integral parts of God’s family, His children, His heirs. This acceptance isn’t conditional; it doesn’t depend on our performance or our ability to live up to some impossible standard. It’s based solely on the love of God, a love that is unwavering, unconditional, and eternally steadfast.
This understanding empowers us to overcome feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and rejection. When the world tells us we are not enough, when we struggle with feelings of unworthiness, we can cling to this truth: we are accepted in the Beloved. We are embraced by the Father’s love, sheltered in His grace, and secure in His unwavering affection. This knowledge frees us from the need for external validation, allowing us to find our worth and identity in Christ alone.
Our task, then, is to embrace this acceptance, to allow it to transform our lives from the inside out. To live with the confidence and assurance that comes from knowing we are unconditionally loved and eternally cherished. Today, I challenge you to actively cultivate this sense of belonging. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for His unwavering love and acceptance. Seek out opportunities to extend this same grace and acceptance to others, reflecting the love of Christ in all you do.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the overwhelming truth of Your unconditional love and acceptance. We thank You for adopting us into Your family, for choosing us as Your beloved children. Help us to fully embrace this truth, to live with the confidence and assurance that comes from knowing we are accepted in the Beloved. Empower us to extend this same grace and acceptance to others, reflecting Your love to a world desperately in need of Your compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.