Ephesians 1:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Blood Relation
I have the great fortune of working with a group that facilitates the adoption of children who have been neglected or abandoned by their biological parents. Regardless of the cause of why a child is available to adopt, what's most important is that they are adopted. Children raised in loving, supportive families do better than those who remain in abusive families, who are in foster care or who are turned out to care for themselves before they are capable of doing so. That's not opinion, that's science.
It doesn't matter if adoptive parents are different races than the child or have a different cultural experience. It doesn't matter if the adoptive parent is single or married. Age of the parents doesn't matter. Financial status doesn't matter. If the home the parent or parents provides is loving, stable, and supportive, the child thrives. And adoptive children welcomed into these loving, stable, supportive homes thrive at the same levels of any other biological children that might be in the house.
I'd like to tell you about a specific adoptive Parent. The ultimate Parent. He has provided a loving, stable home for all of us that is furnished and equipped with everything each of us needs, specifically. He is so deeply committed to the process of adopting all of us, that He provided not just paperwork, but the process by which we could be considered blood relatives, in case anyone had an issue with our adoption - He met the demands of a blood sacrifice by offering His only begotten Son.
We are, in fact, Blood Relations to Christ. We were adopted into the family of God through Jesus' sacrifice. That adoption was secured long before we accepted it. Refusing it, not believing it, not accepting it doesn't change that fact that 'it' is...what does change is when we receive it.
If someone set up an unlimited bank account in my name, and I refused to use it, it doesn't change the fact that the account is mine. I'm just foolish for not accepting the gift and operating with it's resources.
This is true of Salvation. The price has already been paid. We are already forgiven and already accepted of God. Our only responsibility in that arrangement is accepting it. And, like the bank example above, we're basically foolish for leaving eternal salvation on the table unaccepted.
I know we've chatted about this before, but sometimes I think it's important to go back to the basics of this walk in Christ. The simple truth of being loved and accepted of God can get lost in the confusions and challenges of life. Touching back can help eliminate noise and stuff that can get in the way.
So, today, tomorrow, and whenever you need it, know that you are loved. You were adopted in to the Family of God through His Son, Jesus Christ and established as a full son...not a servant....not a second level relative. You've been adopted into the most loving, most supportive, most stable home available. So, thrive.
Ephesians 1:1-12
King James Version (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Glory to God!
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.
Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.
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