02/11/2011
Sunday October 30: Andy Cantwell. Started with 1 John 3:1 "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children."
Romans 8:38 - nothing can separate us from God's love. Then the piece de resistance - Ephesians 1:3ff - especially verse 6, which in the King James version tells us we are "accepted in the beloved".
We enter the presence of God by the blood of Jesus. We have been restored, or put right with God through faith in what Jesus did for us in his death, burial and resurrection.
Forgiveness is not the same as acceptance. Absolom, King David's wayward son was forgiven of his sin, but he was not allowed back into his father's presence. you can read about this in 11 Samuel 14, 15, 18.
It is an additional work of grace to receive acceptance.
The Prodigal son, in Luke 15:11ff, basically told his father "I wish you were dead".
Then he asked for his inheritance and took off. But his father's love didn't die. He was treated better than he deserved with the welcome he received when he returned home.
There is a story of a son who was getting married. His bride was not like the rest of the family. Totally unsuitable, not right, a bit rough. But because of the family's love for the son, the wife was welcomed into the house, even cherished She had been bound to their beloved son.
The Lamb of God has chosen for His bride an imperfect church. She is accepted into the family of heaven because of the love of the Son. We are treated like the chosen one. Restored. Accepted in the Beloved. Children of the King.