According as he hath chosen us in him…unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ…wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:4-6).
Some people live their lives in the hope that God will accept them on the basis of their good works. But our good works aren’t enough to give us a right standing with God. You may even be going through a situation and thinking, “When I look at my life, I can’t even find any sin; so, why am I going through this?”
Well, the Bible says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, Galatians 2:16 says, “…by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
The struggle to live right, to please God so as to be accepted by Him, is unnecessary. Why should you work so hard, struggling to be accepted by Him, when the Spirit already calls us through the Word as, “…accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6)? You’ve been accepted and declared righteous before God. Accept this truth and now live to please Him accordingly.
God chose you before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him in love, and He predestined you to be accepted in His presence. It’s part of what His righteousness in your spirit has produced for you; you can boldly stand in the presence of God without guilt, inferiority or condemnation. In Christ, you have right standing before God. Hallelujah!
Now that you’re born again, you dwell in God’s presence, and you’re at liberty to serve Him as He desires. Until and unless this becomes your present-hour consciousness, your Christian walk will be a struggle. Christianity for you should be an everyday experience of divine fellowship.
Confession/Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your love, grace, and righteousness at work in me. Thank you for choosing me to be holy and without blame before you in love. I walk in wisdom today, fulfilling your good pleasure and producing works of righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
1-year bible reading plan
John 10:1-21; 2 Kings 6-7
2-year bible reading plan
Mark 12:1-12; Numbers 24