“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Eph 1:4-6 (NIV)
If you are in Christ, then have been adopted into God’s family. God gave the right for you to become a child of God. In love, God predestined you to be adopted as His child in Jesus Christ. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 NIV).
God’s grace is the gateway to your adoption into His family (Eph. 2:8-9). Your adoption is formalized at conversion. God takes the initiative to draw you by convicting you of sin and convincing you of His righteousness. God gives you the freedom to choose Him or refuse Him. His salvation is available to all but only effective for those who place their trust in the completed work of Jesus on the cross.
Adoption is not an option. Adoption is the spiritual blessing for those who are in Christ. Spend some time thanking God for His willingness to adopt you into His family. God selected you. You are God’s choice. In spite of your sin, in spite of your inadequacies, and in spite of your inconsistencies, God chose to adopt you into His family.
Be sensitive to opportunities this week to express your adoption. God has made this eternal adoption transaction available to all. Will you be available to be used by God to share His offer of salvation to those who are disconnected from Christ?
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor