“. . . wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).

The High Priest of Israel wore the inscription “Holiness to the LORD” to illustrate to all who obeyed God that they were “accepted before the LORD” (Exodus 28:36–38).

Joshua, as a type of all believers, was granted “places to walk” in the courts of God (Zechariah 3:7). Christ’s disciples were commanded to “ask” the Father for “whatsoever,” since they were chosen and ordained to “bring forth fruit” (John 15:16). We have permission to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).

But there is more! Not only are we accepted, we are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13), an “earnest [down payment, deposit] of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14). We are “stablished . . . anointed . . . sealed” (II Corinthians 1:21,22).

We are “confirmed” in everything (I Corinthians 1:4–8), consecrated and sanctified to serve (Exodus 28:41; I John 2:27), and given the “earnest of the Spirit” (II Corinthians 5:5) to empower our ministry.

The Holy Spirit does His work through a three-fold ministry in our lives. He will work on Christ’s behalf, through our witness, to bring conviction to those not yet in Christ (John 16:7–11). He will also minister to us as the teacher of our spirits to guide us into all truth (John 16:13; 14:17,26; 15:26).

Furthermore, the wisdom, prudence, and knowledge of God are revealed to us through His work in us (I Corinthians 2:9,10). All that is necessary for our “effectual working” (Ephesians 3:7) is “graced” to us so that we can “work out (our) salvation” (Philippians 2:12). We are “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). HMM III