OVERWHELMED BY HIS LOVE AND GRACE
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship 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.
Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV)
Many parents in our Brookwood Church body tell me that one of the happiest days of their lives was adoption day. Parents who have waited, prayed, completed mountains of paperwork, and endured months or even years of uncertainty finally hear the words: This child is now legally yours. A child isn't simply welcomed into the home; he or she becomes a permanent member of the family with all the rights and privileges of a son or daughter.
Paul says that's exactly what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.
God's motivation wasn't guilt, obligation or anything we deserved. It was love. Before the world was created, God planned that everyone who places their faith in Christ would be adopted into His family. This wasn't an afterthought. It was His gracious plan from the very beginning.
That was revolutionary in Paul's day. Many people assumed God loved Jews more than Gentiles, men more than women, firstborns more than those born later, the wealthy more than the poor, the healthy more than the sick, and the free more than slaves. But Jesus turned that thinking upside down. He welcomed the outcasts, touched the lepers, cared for women and children, and offered salvation to anyone who would trust Him.
The same is true today. None of us becomes God's child because of our family background, our church attendance, our morality or our accomplishments. We are adopted by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
What amazes me most is what Paul says next: this was in accordance with his pleasure and will. God doesn't reluctantly save sinners. He delights in it. It brings Him joy to forgive us, adopt us and call us His sons and daughters. His grace isn't given sparingly; it's freely poured out on everyone who belongs to Christ.
No wonder Paul begins this letter with praise. When we truly understand God's love and grace, worship becomes the natural response.
Application: Take a few minutes today to thank God for adopting you into His family. Let that truth shape how you see yourself and how you treat others who are equally loved by God.
Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me enough to make me Your child through Jesus Christ. I deserve nothing, yet You have given me everything by Your grace. Help me live each day being kind to everyone I meet and sharing Your Good News with them. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?