When we say you're accepted in Christ, it should not be too hard for you to receive. But you know many people will be quick to check the law and point to one thing or another that will not make God to accept them. "You know you have to be holy, but I'm not. You have to be righteous, but I am not. I have not kept the commandments of God. I cannot be accepted". While it is good to live holy and righteous, you're not accepted because of it. Your acceptance is not because you have promised to "be a good boy", but because God decided without any man's advice to declare an "accepted time".
Now what is "accepted time"?
2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Now, in Isaiah 61:2,
*[[Isa 61:2]] KJV* To proclaim the ACCEPTABLE YEAR of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
And when Jesus came, in Luke 4
Luke 4:16-19 KJV
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. [17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, [18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, [19] To preach the ACCEPTABLE year of the Lord.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. [17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, [18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, [19] To preach the ACCEPTABLE year of the Lord.
Oops! Jesus removed something and it's not by mistake: "and the day of vengeance of our God".
Therefore the accepted time or year is that period Jesus ushered in by His coming.
John 1:17 KJV
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Simply put "accepted time" is Grace in Christ. In fact, the verse says it:
We then, as workers together with him , beseech you also that ye receive not the GRACE of God in vain. [2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV
We then, as workers together with him , beseech you also that ye receive not the GRACE of God in vain. [2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV
Hence "accepted time" is NOT your doing, but "grace of God". Acceptance therefore is not that you promise to live right, but grace that has come to stay.
These are times when the world experience Grace in a dimension that has never been before. The breeze of "freedom" is blowing everywhere. God's acceptance and righteousness reaching every corner. And the message resounding: God in Christ is not counting men's sins against them - accepted time! (2Cor 5:19). The door of the heavens now freely open because, lo! It's the accepted time.
Prayers answered without sin hindrance because it is the accepted time.
Healings given out freely today because it is the accepted time!
The Spirit freely poured out on ALL manner of (unworthy) flesh: because it is the accepted time!
Jews and gentiles now make no distinction before God because it is the accepted time!
If He says oh Christian, He accepts you, don't think it's because you have been trying to change. It's because Jesus proclaimed the feast and bids all "both bad and good" even in the highways (Matthew 22:10).
Enjoy this accepted time by celebrating redemption. Delight thyself in the Lord. Make your boast and glorying in the Lord. Share with everyone what Jesus has done for you. Make the forsaken see how God accepts them without qualifications or requirements. Celebrate Jesus all the way and live the thankful saved life!
