Adopted into God’s Family
Sunday, September 3
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:5)
The ground of God’s decision to adopt us into His own family is His love for us. The phrase “child of God” or “children of God” has been watered down and means nothing in our hearts. It has become normal or common to hear such expressions. But this phrase carries weight! You are a child of God! And what that means is that you are part of God’s family!
This is the destiny for those whom God has chosen: that they would enjoy adoption as Children of God. God’s unfolding plan for us not only includes salvation and personal transformation, but also a warm, confident, sweet, and loving relationship with the Father. He is our Daddy! Glory to God!
In Roman law, Barclay said, “When the adoption was complete it was complete indeed. The person who had been adopted had all the rights of a legitimate son in his new family and completely lost all rights in his old family. In the eyes of the law, he was a new person. So new was he that even all debts and obligations connected with his previous family were abolished as if they had never existed.” One theologian takes the thought even further: “Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not adopted into the family of God; they are born into the family. The Greek has only one word ‘Sonplace.’ We are placed into the position of Sons.”
Taking about the glorious truth of our adoption in Christ would take us our lifetime to fully explore its depth and height. It is too glorious not to live in its reality. You are a child of God. It is your identity; it is who you are!
Doing the Word: Call God your Daddy. Say it out loud!
Prayer: Dear Daddy, all praise be given to You for making me a part of Your family, in Jesus’ name, Amen.