ACCEPTED BY THE BELOVED

SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2022

Knowing that we've been accepted by Christ comes with the feeling of satisfaction and delight in the Person of Christ, because of His love and finished work on our behalf. The knowledge brings us joy and confidence, which flow out from the Holy Spirit within us. In addition, Christ's acceptance ensures that we experience the results of the working of the Holy Spirit.

Reference: Romans 15:7 New Living Translation (NLT) "Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory."

The Scripture speaks of Christ accepting us in the name of God the Father, which leads to His glory. Put in another way, the ultimate result of Christ's acceptance and gracious dealings with us is the praise of God's glory. However, it is important to note the difference here: In this case, Paul meant that Christ has accepted us, not the other way, which we know too well, "God has accepted us in the Beloved." So how did Christ accept us? No one will ever love God genuinely with any measure of pure, spiritual love (agape), who is not made a partaker of Christ's acceptance and grace. In Matthew 12:50, Jesus says, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (NIV). So the born again Christian has Christ's acceptance in his heart because he truly loves God and it is a beautiful work of the Spirit of Christ that dwells in us as He enables us to conform to Christ's image. Beloved, we have Christ's absolute acceptance and that is more than enough for our Christian journey!

Christ's acceptance triggers the kindness and mercy of God toward us in Him. Jesus had compassion on us, loved us and gave His life for us. For this reason, Paul sees the need for us to be constantly reminded of Christ's acceptance so that our attention will not be drawn away from the Lord. He also added that it is our duty in every way, and according to divine ability, to accept each other, offer succour and help to others, and relieve all that are in distress and necessity. So the impression Paul gives us is that it is within our power to minister the same acceptance to others because Christ has done so for us. By the overpowering light of Christ shining in our hearts and filling us with divine assurance, we can be inspired to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and supportive to each other.

By accepting fellow Christians as Christ has done to us, we practise a visible righteousness and it means that such deeds confirm our assertion that we belong to Christ. It helps us to be very sure that our professions of communion with the Lord and the truth that we belong to Christ are witnessed by others. It equally denotes a plain outward life of righteousness like the Lord's, bearing in mind that we are called to live like Him in this world (1 John 4:17 NLT). As we make up our minds to respond to others with Christ's love and acceptance, we are positioned to influence lives positively, to receive testimonies as proof of the riches of God's grace, and to be thankful. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 14:6; Romans 8:1; 1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 14:1.

Exuberant Declaration: Jesus Christ has accepted me and I have a rich, intimate relationship with God through my union with Christ. I share His vital influences in my life with others as I live by faith. Having heard and received this truth as it is, I function accordingly. Thus, I enjoy the benefits of the endless riches of Christ and I impart the elements of my spiritual blessing to others. Glory to God!