And, it's simply amazing that GOD wants a relationship with us.
He uses analogies of relationships and our own daily experiences to give us a glimpse - an invitation - into the relationship He desires to have with us.
Adoption is used multiple times in scripture - but not as an analogy.
We are actually made sons and daughters through the gift of salvation in Jesus.
In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 1:5
And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. - Romans 8:17
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. -
Romans 3:22-24
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit. - Ephesians 1:13
We are justified by grace - which "legally" makes it possible to be adopted. Jesus' payment for our sins makes us righteous - which makes it possible for us to join God's family.
Adopted as sons and heirs is true, not just an image. We become children of God, chosen and loved by the King.
Sealed with the Holy Spirit is like our new last name. We are claimed and labeled as God's children.
This journey through the adoption process has strengthened my understanding of God's love in so many ways. There are so many correlations to the choosing, the transforming, and the new hope that God offers for each of us.
God has also been revealing a depth of Jesus' life that I never understood as completely before. . .
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As we anticipate bringing home our little girl, I am increasingly thankful that she will have brothers and a sister. She will instantly have a family.
Family.
Something she needs deeply and desperately, but doesn't know it.
She doesn't even understand it. She has no frame of reference for Mom and Dad.
She has needed someone to provide. She knows someone must bring basic care, but Mom and Dad are so much more.
Family cannot be replaced by a facility with caretakers.
She needs a family and doesn't even know it.
In the beginning, she will likely turn away the help she doesn't understand.
She will possibly fight against the love she is offered.
But, love never fails.
(You can feel the correlations to our response to the love that God is offering.)
Drew, Kate, and Luke will be the beautiful interpreters of love.
They know how to give and receive.
They know Mom and Dad will provide.
They know Mom and Dad will not leave.
They know the meaning of family.
Our little girl will see what it means to be a daughter.
She will know that she can call on Daddy
And he will come.
She will know love.
The love of a family, because she can gain a special trust, even quicker, by the example her brothers and sister can give her.
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Jesus.
Son of God.
He spoke about the Kingdom of God.
He spoke about the Love we never really understood.
He told us about a God who pursues us.
He showed us what it means to say "Our Father."
Then, He made it possible.
He made it legal.
Adopted - Each of us can be.
Jesus taught us how to listen to God, how to talk to God, and how to walk in obedience to God in a brand new way - as a son.
Conversation with and obedience to a Father.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them,
"When you pray, say:
‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
And lead us not into temptation.’”
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:1-4; 9-13
Jesus, the Son of God, taught us how to receive the Father's Love.
