“To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.”  - Ephesians 1:6  

    “Made us accepted” are essentially the same as the words that Gabriel spoke to Mary, “thou art highly favored among women” (Luke 1:28).  The Lord has “highly favored,” that is, infinitely graced and accepted His chosen people, those predestinated unto sonship, in Christ.  We are fully and forever accepted in Him.  Note that this acceptance has been from old eternity and actually preceded redemption which is set forth in verse 7. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Even before Christ came and laid down His life for His sheep, the chosen of God were accepted in Him for He is our eternal Surety.  How long has the Son of God been the Surety and Savior of His people?  The answer is – forever – therefore in the purpose of God and in the person of Christ we have always been saved for we were given grace in Him before the world was even made.  Our acceptance by the holy and gracious God, therefore, has been from eternity.  “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).  It was grace which gave us an existence in Christ, chose us unto salvation and predestinated us unto sonship, all because of who our Savior is and because of His covenant oath to redeem and save His people by His own blood and righteousness.