Forgiven, Accepted, and Loved – Greg Laurie Devotion – April 7, 2026

Biblical Context

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote the letter to the Ephesians while likely in prison, sometime around A.D. 60–62. He wrote to the church in Ephesus, a significant city in Asia Minor, to help believers grasp the incredible blessings they have in Christ. His words focus on how God has united both Jews and Gentiles into one body through Jesus, emphasizing the power of God’s grace and the high calling of those who follow Him. The book doesn’t just teach us about God’s big plan for the church; it also shows us how we should live as a result of that plan. It makes clear that our identity and blessings come directly from being connected to Christ.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word grace from our scripture today. In the Greek, this word is *charis* (χάρις). It means unmerited favor, kindness, goodwill, or a gift given freely, with no strings attached. When we talk about God’s grace, we’re talking about His absolute goodness and generosity shown to us, not because we did anything to earn it, but because of who He is. It’s a gift that you don’t work for or deserve; it’s simply given out of His great love. This idea of *charis* is central to understanding your relationship with God because it highlights that salvation and all spiritual blessings are purely from His loving heart, not from your efforts.

Because Jesus Lives, You’re Forgiven

It’s simple, yet so important: because Jesus lives, you can be forgiven of your sins. Paul wrote it plainly:

“So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:6–8 nlt).

This isn’t just a nice thought; it’s a foundational truth for your life. You don’t have to carry the weight of past mistakes anymore. Jesus took care of them.

Fighting the Enemy’s Guilt Trips

This truth about forgiveness is vital to hold onto because your spiritual enemy will use guilt to make you question your relationship with the Lord. He’s always trying to get into your head, to whisper lies. He will try to convince you that your sin makes you unworthy to be part of God’s family. He’ll remind you of every failure, every slip-up, trying to make you feel like you’re separated from God. Don’t let him win that fight. What God has done through Jesus stands stronger than any lie the enemy throws at you.

Grace: Unmerited Favor and Deep Love

Always remember that everything God has done has been because of His grace. Grace means “unmerited favor.” You didn’t do anything to earn it, and you don’t need to. You aren’t merely forgiven, justified, and cleansed of your sins; you have been received in love by God Himself. Think about that: He didn’t just clean you up; He welcomed you into His family. This is because of His deep love for His own Son, Jesus. Because His Son lives in you, you have found His favor. You have the approval of God because of what Jesus has done, not because of anything you did or can do.

God, the Perfect Father

Many people carry emotional baggage from their experiences with earthly fathers. Maybe your dad was cold and distant. Or perhaps, like me, you were raised in a home where there wasn’t a father at all. It’s natural for us to transfer those emotions and expectations to God the Father. We can walk around in life feeling as though we don’t have the approval of God. We might think, “If I just did this, God would notice,” or “If I worked a little harder, then God would love me.”

But that’s not the kind of Father we’re talking about when we talk about God. He’s completely different. The psalmist beautifully described Him:

“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy” (Psalm 68:5 nlt).

Paul also praised God for His blessings:

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 nlt).

And James reminds us of God’s constant goodness:

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17 nlt).

These verses paint a picture of a Father who is loving, giving, and always on your side. He doesn’t wait for you to earn His affection; He gives it freely because that’s His nature.

You Are Accepted and Loved—No Matter What

God approves of you. You are accepted and loved—not because you read your Bible a little longer, share Christ with more people, or give a little more in the offering. Those are good things to do, but they don’t buy His love or acceptance. You are still accepted even when you don’t do all of that. You are accepted when you fail, when you slip up, when you give in to a familiar temptation. Your standing with God isn’t based on your performance. You are accepted not because of what you have done, but because of what Jesus has done. That’s a game-changer. It means your relationship with Him is secure, no matter how imperfect you feel.

Living for His Glory, Not Your Approval

Once you really get this great truth, it changes everything. You shouldn’t want to do everything for the Lord’s glory—not to earn His approval, but because you already have it. When you know you’re completely loved and accepted, your actions flow from a place of gratitude and joy, not from a desperate need to gain something that’s already yours. This understanding frees you up to serve God with a whole heart, just because you love Him back.