"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 of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory." Eph 1:13-14
Beloved, as parents, we know that there is a difference between those that are our children and those who are not. One of the first identifiable characteristics is the family resemblance. When a child is brought into our family, comparisons immediately ensue regarding who the baby looks like more, the father or the mother. Even in the case of children who may be adopted, the family name is given and the difference between them and those who have not been brought into the family becomes an identification by association.
As children of God, we have been likewise marked (sealed, identified). This is accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Though it is not based on visual cues, as is similarly the case with those who have been brought in, it is nevertheless the truest indicator of our son-ship and daughter-ship. We have been set apart and a difference has been made between us and those who are not His.
As with our own children, there are both privileges accorded and expectations imparted. We must therefore walk worthy of our calling, exemplifying our Father and His family values in all that we do. He has already promised us an inheritance. The Holy Spirit is His guarantee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Showing posts with label Adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adoption. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Spirit of Adoption-5/25/2011
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ," Rom 8:15-17
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that in fiscal year 2009, 114,562 children were waiting to be adopted in the United States. As you might guess, some of these children come from the most dire situations imaginable. All are in need of love, family, understanding and nurturing. For all intents and purposes, they need to be saved from their situations.
Their situation is analogous to ours outside of Christ. We are misguided and in need of things we cannot ourselves supply. We need someone to take us in, teach us right from wrong, good from bad and develop us into productive citizens of the kingdom.
I am pleased to say that many from our local congregation have followed God's great example and taken children in need into their homes and made them family. Wonderful organizations like Christian Family Services also exemplify God's great gift of benevolence and love through adoption services.
Beloved we who were once lost are now found. We who were once alone are members of God's family. As members, as children of the Almighty, as heirs, we have been given the right to call upon Him as "daddy" (Abba), the most intimate of addresses for our common Father. He cares for us and loves us so much. Let us rejoice in his kindness, even as those wonderful children do when they are made a part of an earthly family.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that in fiscal year 2009, 114,562 children were waiting to be adopted in the United States. As you might guess, some of these children come from the most dire situations imaginable. All are in need of love, family, understanding and nurturing. For all intents and purposes, they need to be saved from their situations.
Their situation is analogous to ours outside of Christ. We are misguided and in need of things we cannot ourselves supply. We need someone to take us in, teach us right from wrong, good from bad and develop us into productive citizens of the kingdom.
I am pleased to say that many from our local congregation have followed God's great example and taken children in need into their homes and made them family. Wonderful organizations like Christian Family Services also exemplify God's great gift of benevolence and love through adoption services.
Beloved we who were once lost are now found. We who were once alone are members of God's family. As members, as children of the Almighty, as heirs, we have been given the right to call upon Him as "daddy" (Abba), the most intimate of addresses for our common Father. He cares for us and loves us so much. Let us rejoice in his kindness, even as those wonderful children do when they are made a part of an earthly family.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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