WE DON'T ACCEPT JESUS....HE HAS ACCEPTED US! (That's Good News)

When we think of the word salvation, we think of that time in our lives when we decided to accept Jesus Christ into our lives. We see it as a decision we make that allows Him to become the Lord and Savior of our lives. How does this view in looking at Ephesians 2:8-9? "For by grace you have been saved through faith ; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God; NOT as a result OF WORKS, so that no one may boast."
If there is one thing that man can claim credit for, then it is no longer grace. Us asking Jesus into our heart is something we do....and although many have believed and followed this road for hundreds of years, this is not what the Bible teaches.
"We are told that HE CHOOSE US in Him before the foundation of the world" ...Eph.1:4.
Eph.1:5-6 "He PREDESTINED us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of HIS WILL, to the praise of the glory of HIS GRACE, which HE FREELY BESTOWS on us in the Beloved."
Because we have been told and believed something for so long, it is hard for many to see it any other way, yet Salvation is a "FREE" gift. It is and has been, the heart of God to bring each of us into union...making us "one" with Him, the Triune God, before the foundations of the world. It was in the mind of God long before Adam and it was a perfect plan. Out of love, He was creating a bride for Himself for which He could have complete union and fellowship.
Now, how many can honestly say that the plan God had before the foundation of the world could fail? God made the plan, Jesus executed the plan, and Holy Spirit is pulling it all together as He woos on the hearts of man toward their love...Jesus Christ.
Now, for many this will seem radical, but salvation is NOT a matter of you giving 'Your Life' to Jesus. The covenant made for man's was not made by man, but between the Father and the Son on man's behalf. Man had nothing to do with it, and has no part in it whatsoever. If he did, then He could somehow earn his salvation. Salvation is a gift. So, it has nothing to do with anything we could ever do, but it has everything to do with what He did....what He has given to us, NOT what we give to Him. When Jesus said, "It is finished," He was letting us know that He gave us His life. We could stop trying now to do enough......stop trying to be accepted......stop trying to participate in 'everything' that we think is the Christian responsibility. He's telling us that He HAS MADE us "accepted in the beloved." Eph.1:6 Paul is saying that He's already done it. Paul does not say, it will be done when we accept Him into our hearts. Christ has done it. It IS finished. We cannot add anything to this. It is a done deal!
So many believers do not see this and they go about their lives struggling to do better and trying so hard to be accepted, because they have no idea that they already are! When will the church begin to preach the good news with out the list of conditions. Jesus has done it....accept it, believe it and walk in this wonderful reality!
I love what Steve McVey said......"We didn't start the ball rolling regarding our salvation. He did, and to suggest otherwise diminishes Him and exalts us. Salvation is God's work. Our response to Him is because He initiated the whole thing. We love because He first loved us. Grace means we are merely recipients of what He did through Jesus Christ. He is the initiator, activator, and the perpetuator of our salvation. From start to finish, it's Him. We contributed nothing toward our salvation. After all, we had nothing to contribute."