THE MARGINAL READING of the next verse reads this way: “that we should be holy and blameless before him in love, having destined us to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:4–6). The state of being “holy and blameless” is “before him”—not before men. We cannot be holy and blameless before men, for men don’t see all, so they misjudge us. We can be holy and blameless before Him, for He sees all and understands all. Even before Him it is “holy and blameless before him in love.” Our love may be perfect, but our performance imperfect. We cannot be perfect in character and action—only perfect in intention, in love. When Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48), He did not mean perfect in character as God is perfect. The word “therefore” points back and refers to loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you, loving those who do not love you—that is what God does—He makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good. You are to love as God loves—to be perfect in love as God is perfect in love.
The manifestation of this perfect love may be imperfect and yet the love be perfect.
This grace He “freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” This is the only place where Jesus is called “the Beloved,” but it is significant. In all other places the emphasis is on the love of Jesus for others. Here is the fruit: the One who loved becomes the Beloved. That always happens—if you wish to be beloved, then love. Don’t ask for it; give it. Then being beloved will come as fruit and root.
“He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved”—when we are in Christ, the Beloved, God can give with both hands. He freely bestows at that place, for it is safe to give to us when we are in the Beloved. Outside of the Beloved He gives with a token giving—a token of what He would give if we were in the Beloved.
Father, help me to remain always, and with all 1 have, in the Beloved. There Thou art free to give and I’m free to receive. Since Thou dost give with both hands, I take with both hands. I thank Thee, thank Thee. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Since He freely bestows, I freely receive.
