Word@Work Eph5 - Ephesians 1:4b-6
Published: Thu, 10/02/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
ADOPTED AND WANTED
Read Ephesians 1:4b-6 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. (NIV)
All of God's blessings (powerfully good words that He will fulfil) stem from His love. He does not bribe us with nice words and then fail to keep His promise. It is wonderful to know that we have been chosen; not just to be part of His 'team' or in his 'business' but to be personally related to Him. It is even more than the privilege of being a distant relative to royalty: it was always God's plan that Christians should have the full status, rights and affectionate closeness of being sons of God. Ladies need not be bothered here; 'son' is not being used as a gender word but means having the legal right to inherit the Father's estate!
You may say, if I am created by Father God, then why did I need to be adopted? It is simple. Like the prodigal son who left home and squandered his father's money, so we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (cf. Rom 3:23). In the words of the prodigal, "I am no longer worthy to be called your son..." (cf. Luke 15:19). Our adoption is therefore all the more remarkable - God has deliberately chosen to adopt children who have rebelled against him ... and restore to them all the rights that they have abused. Indeed to reinstate unworthy sinners is not only His purpose, but also His pleasure. It can only be that God loves sinful people so much!
That is why we should praise God for His glorious grace (like the angels do, cf. Luke 15:10). His adoption is free to us, although it was very expensive for Christ. It was also so painful for both the Father and Son, as they were separated for our sake, when our sin was punished in Jesus' body on the cross. Although the unbeliever may mock our Lord, we know that 'it was for us He hung and suffered there'. So don't let your sense of unworthiness make you back off from God - it was because you are unworthy that He has chosen to adopt you with full family rights! The unworthy-feeling Christian who grasps this truth is often the best person to recommend Jesus to others.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for wanting me to be a full member of Your family, even though I am not worthy. I am so grateful for what Jesus has done so that I can be included, and tell others that You want to include them too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
All of God's blessings (powerfully good words that He will fulfil) stem from His love. He does not bribe us with nice words and then fail to keep His promise. It is wonderful to know that we have been chosen; not just to be part of His 'team' or in his 'business' but to be personally related to Him. It is even more than the privilege of being a distant relative to royalty: it was always God's plan that Christians should have the full status, rights and affectionate closeness of being sons of God. Ladies need not be bothered here; 'son' is not being used as a gender word but means having the legal right to inherit the Father's estate!
You may say, if I am created by Father God, then why did I need to be adopted? It is simple. Like the prodigal son who left home and squandered his father's money, so we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (cf. Rom 3:23). In the words of the prodigal, "I am no longer worthy to be called your son..." (cf. Luke 15:19). Our adoption is therefore all the more remarkable - God has deliberately chosen to adopt children who have rebelled against him ... and restore to them all the rights that they have abused. Indeed to reinstate unworthy sinners is not only His purpose, but also His pleasure. It can only be that God loves sinful people so much!
That is why we should praise God for His glorious grace (like the angels do, cf. Luke 15:10). His adoption is free to us, although it was very expensive for Christ. It was also so painful for both the Father and Son, as they were separated for our sake, when our sin was punished in Jesus' body on the cross. Although the unbeliever may mock our Lord, we know that 'it was for us He hung and suffered there'. So don't let your sense of unworthiness make you back off from God - it was because you are unworthy that He has chosen to adopt you with full family rights! The unworthy-feeling Christian who grasps this truth is often the best person to recommend Jesus to others.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for wanting me to be a full member of Your family, even though I am not worthy. I am so grateful for what Jesus has done so that I can be included, and tell others that You want to include them too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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