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

God never has, and does not now accept everybody. But he will accept anybody upon the right conditions. Hold on for a minute and let me explain this bold statement I have just made. First though, may I ask, has he accepted you? Are you sure? You better be! Because he only accepts a few and I can even prove this. I know, that is yet another bold statement, but again it is true. And, no I do not have any inside information that is not available to the public at large. It is all written in God’s own Words. So let’s begin with this word from Jesus himself.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Two Roads

Can you argue with that statement of our Lord and Savior? He said “few” people were on the right road that leads to eternal life. There are only two ways to live and Jesus made it clear that people are on one of two roads. So the question is, “which road are you traveling on today?” Those on the narrow road are those who God has accepted, and those on the broad road are not his. No one deserves to be saved. No one has ever done anything that merits that they be saved. Salvation is always by the grace of God. That simply means that God saves some undeserving sinners from their sin. But before God could do this he had to have some basic means whereby he could save sinners. Because of who God is, the infinite Holy One, and because man is a sinful creature, man cannot come into God’s presence. So God has purposed to save sinners through his only Son who he provided to die and pay for the sinners sin on Calvary’s cross.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

God’s grace is the undeserving, unmerited favor of God upon sinners who accept his Son as their savior. Have you done that? It is the most important decision of your life. By allowing Jesus to die upon the cross, all the sins of the world were transferred to Jesus. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 2:24

The Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter are both telling us in these scriptures that Jesus had all of our sins placed upon him. And then the Apostle John tells us that it was for the whole world.

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

However, God never forces a person to be saved if they did not want to be saved. Man was given by God limited free will. That is, man was allowed to make his own decisions. So God proceeded to give man his “Word,” the Holy Scriptures that would instruct man in righteousness. God even sent prophets, priests, and ministers to proclaim his Word so that all people might know of man’s pitiful, sinful, condemned, condition and accept God’s Son as their savior who had paid for their sins. So now God has completed all he needed to do so that man might be saved from his sin. Not only saved from his sin, but to be welcomed into heaven to live with God forever. The next step would be for sinful man to recognize his lost condition and accept God’s provision for salvation by trusting his Son as their savior. God even sent his Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the unsaved to convict them of their spiritual need.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16:7-9

So as the gospel is preached and people hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, all who believe in him as their own personal savior are saved.  

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.   1 Peter 1:23

By faith and believing in the Spirit and the Word, a sinner is changed into a saint, a child of God, instantly. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Today, there are over 700 billion people on planet earth. That is a lot of people. Most of these people God does not accept. How do I know this? Because most people do not accept his Son Jesus Christ. Out of all this world of people it is only those who repent of their sin, and place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus that can become acceptable to God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Now I am aware that there are many people who belong to some religion or religious cult, but belonging to a religion does not provide salvation.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-12

Who God Will Accept

• Those who know they are sinful.
• Those who humble themselves and ask for forgiveness.
• Those who accept Jesus Christ, God’s son as their savior.
• Those who meet all of the above requirements.

The Grand Exchange

Sinners are given the righteousness of Jesus and Jesus is given the sinners sin. That’s quite an exchange is it not?

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  2 Corinthians 5:21

When someone accepts Jesus as their savior, they are just as righteous before God as Jesus Christ is. Why, because God had ordained that believers are justified from all things.

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39

So the big question today is, has God accepted you? Are you one of God’s children? Notice what the Apostle Paul said to the believers at the Galatian church;

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

Faith in Jesus Christ as one’s own personal savior makes a believing sinner a child of God! It makes them fit, or suited for heaven. His gift is for everyone. Black or white, rich or poor!

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said;

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Acts 10:34-35

Yes, my friend Jesus has no favorites! He wants all to be saved! I have given you many scriptures regarding being accepted of God. If one is not accepted of God, then they are rejected of God.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus said to those of his day as he ministered to the people;

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:40

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:12

Today we have people who plan to be saved “one day.” We have people who are not interested in being saved right now, or while they think they may miss out on something in life if they do. We have people who think they are saved, but they are not and we have those who do not know whether they are saved or not. And of course we have those who are saved. So which group are you in today? Jesus has made it clear;

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:5-7

Only those of the world’s population who accept Jesus Christ as their savior are accepted of God and will be in heaven with the Lord one day forever. They are the ones that have had the shed blood of Jesus applied to their sinful soul, cleansing them from all their sin. Folk’s salvation is a gift of God. So God does not have to save anyone, anywhere. God does not owe you or me anything least of all salvation. But He loved us so much he provided for us a savior in Jesus Christ. It is up to us whether we accept him or not. We are told in the scriptures that God does not want anyone to be lost. If you or someone you know is lost it is of your own free will. It was your choice! Almighty God made a complete provision for people not to be lost when he sent his only Son Jesus to be a sacrifice for our sin! But we must accept His free gift.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Yes, it is the will of God that all be saved. But the unsaved must recognize their need for salvation from their sin and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save them. Once saved, everyone who accepts Jesus as their savior can never be lost again. Why, because they are eternally accepted by God. This means living forever in heaven, being able to enjoy all the wonders of a paradise that only the Lord Jesus could have created for his children. For those of us who have been saved, we can look forward to that wonderful time when we do enter into heaven and hear the Lord Jesus say;

Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:23 

If you are someone who has been waiting to get saved “one day,” or just someone who has really just begun to know about Jesus but your heart is telling you to accept his offer of salvation, call upon him right now. He will help you with all the rest. Father in heaven, thank you so much for Jesus our precious savior who has paid for our sins upon Calvary’s cross. We praise you, and pray that many will come to know him. We are so blessed to be accepted of God and made your children. Amen Preacher.