Accepted: Who We Really Are and What He Has Given UsParaugs

Day 6: Ephesians 2:11-18 We are not only accepted by God our Father; we have access to Him. How the Old Testament dovetails with the New Testament causes our faith in Jesus to be all the richer and more fulfilling. Paul reminds us of all the Old Testament promises that were not available to us before Jesus entered our lives. We were aliens from His family, strangers to His covenants of promise, we had no hope, and we were without God’s presence. However, now , we have access to all these astounding and limitless gifts through the work of the Son, in the power of the Spirit, and by the availability of our Father (Gal. 3:14, 18). One of these coveted promises we now possess is the peace that passes understanding in Christ alone (Phil. 4:6-7). King Jesus not only gives His peace to us, He is our peace (v.14) . Jesus has broken down every wall of separation erected that once kept us from God and from fellowshipping with one another. When we live hidden in Him, tucked under the shadow of His wings, the promised Hebrew peace, shalom, is ours. Shalom , means completeness, wholeness, peace, health, contentment, tranquility, welfare, safety, soundness, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, and harmony. As has been said, peace isn’t the absence of strife, confusion, or discord; it is the presence of Jesus. We have access to the Prince of Shalom, and He has invited us to come (Rev. 3:20). Drink in this truth. Sometimes, in our daily grind, we forget. We forget that we have access to God who created the universe and all that is seen and unseen. We have His availability on our good days and bad days (Heb. 4:15-16). We can come into His presence when we are fallen, broken, and bent; and when we are happy, successful, and victorious. In either case, Jesus extends an invitation to come and dine with Him. To hear His voice, receive His strength, and be delivered, healed, and transformed into His image. Yes. Let’s never forget we have access to God because He has already accepted us as His children (John 1:12). Now, let’s receive His invitation to be with Him. [IMAGE CONTENT]