To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6 (KJV)

We all want to be accepted. It seems that we face so much rejection or are misunderstood or labeled. For most of us, the acceptance we have experienced has been conditional. I will accept and acknowledge you if you do this or that- or if you are a certain type of person.

I am so glad that we don;t have to perform in order to be accepted by the Lord. This verse in Ephesians tells us that He hath made us accepted. Hath is past tense, which means God has already accepted us in Christ. All we have to do is accept His acceptance!

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3 (New International Version, NIV)

The day we received Christ as our Savior, we receive what He provided at the cross. Jesus was rejected so we can be accepted just as we are. He has accepted us- even on our bad days. Acceptance means no more rejection, no more measuring up, no more trying to keep rules and regulations. No more condemnation. My friend, accept yourself for who you are because Jesus does.

All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]. John 6:37 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)