This means being “brought into favor.” As God is holy, and man is a sinner, he can only be brought into acceptance by means of a Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. To effect this the Lord had to die, to vindicate the justice of God, and atone for the sins of those who believe. In Him risen and glorified the believer is brought into favor according to the value before God of Christ’s person and work, wherefore the apostle says, “to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). It is then a fact that the Christian is accepted or brought into favor in the Lord Jesus Christ; compare Romans 5:2. How far his spirit and conduct is acceptable or wellpleasing to God is entirely a different question. 2 Corinthians 5:9 should read “We labor that whether present or absent we may be acceptable to him.” Being accepted we should be zealous that in all things our ways may be well-pleasing to God.