Skip to main content

Ephesians 1:5: Adoption


Ephesians 1:5
[5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (ESV)

I think adoption is a wonderful word. In fact, in a culture that promotes the destruction of unwanted babies so casually, adoption is a wonderful and godly alternative. We have all heard of stories where a child was raised in foster homes, always longing for some family to come along and choose them as their child. Perhaps you are an adopted child and you can identify with how wonderful it is to be chosen for adoption.

The greatest adoption story is found right here in Ephesians.  God the Father predestined us for adoption.  He chose us to be his children.  I want you to imagine a scenario where a precious child is chosen by an adoptive family.  Everything is new.  They have their own room.  They don't have to live out of suitcases anymore.  There is a new stability in their life.  It's a big adjustment.  But, a bigger issue . . . what does this child call their new father?  Now consider what we should call our father?  We are no longer outside of the family of God.  We have a permanent home. We have stability we could never have dreamed of.  But, what do we call our new father?  Paul answers that question in a different letter, written to the Romans:

Romans 8:14–15
[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (ESV)

We call our father, "Abba."  What does that mean.  John MacArthur defines that term in this way:

"Abba! An informal, Aramaic term for Father that conveys a sense of intimacy. Like the English terms “Daddy” or “Papa,” it connotes tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of fear or anxiety."
- John MacArthur, John MacArthur Study Bible

If you are a Christian you are part of the most beautiful adoption story ever.  Do you struggle with how you approach God the Father?  He is your daddy!  He loves you.  You can crawl into his lap and cast your cares on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).  Tell your daddy you love him today.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co