IN the previous comment I asked, “Have you ever had a shattering revelation of self?” This was in the context of the last four words in the previous consideration – “This shattering revelation of self.” I want to draw our attention to another set of four words found below, “Accepted in the Beloved.” Whereas the previous four words point to the tyranny of self, the latter reflect a blessed liberty, hope, and expectation – we are accepted in the Beloved, have a place both now and in the eternal by virtue of our position, our union in Christ.
THINK about it. Have you ever attended an affair, maybe a wedding dinner or some such formal occasion that requires both an invitation and acceptable identity? One might walk into a banquet hall and begin to circle around the table or tables, looking for a name card with your name inscribed upon it. Finding that name tag marks your place, a place of assured acceptance seated at the table, finding within a sigh of relief and yes, even joy.
IN a recent offering from writer and educational conference speaker Dr. Kathy Koch titled Finding Authentic Hope & Wholeness, she elicits 5 Questions that impact our lives: Who can I Trust? Who am I? Who wants me? What is my purpose? What am I to do? These point to a sense of acceptance, place, and purpose. The ultimate answer to this search for identity and acceptance is found in the opening letter to the Ephesians where the Apostle points to our blessed position in Christ whereby we are blessed with “very spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” recipients of “adoption as sons,” and made “accepted in the Beloved” – our eternal Lord and Savior.
ALL this points to and is repeated below, learning to take our position in the Lord Jesus and thereby to abide in Him as our acceptance, we grow to expect less and less from ourselves, and more and more from Him, under the banner “Not I, but Christ” (Gal 2:20)
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 20—Reconciliation and Acceptance – Continued (Position)
Position
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:5–7, italics mine). In learning to take our position in the Lord Jesus and thereby to abide in Him as our acceptance, we grow to expect less and less from ourselves, and more and more from Him. “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Ps. 62:5).
As we become more fully established in our position, we are increasingly willing to reject self, to leave all that sinful source on the cross for daily crucifixion. This progressive freedom from the dominion of self gives us a deepening rest in the Lord Jesus; we become rooted and grounded in the Source of life, where we grow effortlessly and fruit is borne to His glory. Self-effort produces the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19–21), while positional rest fosters the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). —- to be continued
Quote: Wealth is not measured by what you have but who you are. – anon
