“Accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6)

If you’re saved, you’re accepted by God because you’re in covenant with the Father by the sacrifice of His Son.. Christ is the Beloved of the Father, and because you’re IN Christ, you’re granted all the privileges purchased by His blood.

You’re forgiven, justified…just as if you’d never sinned! “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13–14).

Some Christians interpret their acceptance by God based solely on feelings. The problem with this, is feelings sometimes don’t line up with what God says in His Word. When something bad happens, the saint naturally wonders why God allowed it, and unless he goes to God in prayer and takes every thought captive, he’ll naturally lower his shield of faith, and fiery darts can strike him (Ephesians 6:16).

Bad feelings are usually associated with something the saint fears. Fear is a symptom of not trusting God. You must immediately go to God with your fear. Prayer is a continuous means of grace for those who do it, which is why we’re told to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

If you don’t know how to pray, just say, “Lord, I fear this thing, but I believe Your Word that says “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. I cooperate with Your purpose and thank you for whatever You’re doing in this trial. Please give me wisdom to pray for the people and things you want me to pray for” (Romans 8:28).

God will usually have you pray for the people that are associated with the bad feelings. Every time the bad feeling returns, pray for the salvation of the people involved. This is the best way to be proactive in bringing good out of evil.

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Matthew 5:27-28).