Searching For SignificanceSample

The Adoption — Part Two

Adopted Into The Family

After Adam and Eve sinned and God promised in Genesis 3:15 that he would one day hold ultimate victory over sin through the promised Messiah, his great love was broadcast to mankind for all history. Through this sacrifice — the death of his Son, Jesus — perfect love would be lived out for all mankind.

With Jesus’ sacrifice, we weren’t only redeemed (as if that wasn’t enough!). We were also given the chance to be adopted into God’s family.

Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (NLT; emphasis added). Our adoption into his family wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was something that he decided a long time ago. God knew that mankind would sin, and he knew that sin would mean our separation from him. But he also knew that he had a bigger plan, and that he would reign victorious over sin and restore us to our perfect relationship with him.

If God, the Creator of the universe, not only was willing to give up his Son so that we could be redeemed but also then adopted us into his eternal family, don’t you think he’d have a plan for each one of us? Now it’s just a matter of us understanding what that purpose is.

Points to Ponder:

• What thoughts and feelings are stirred within you when you contemplate the fact that you’re adopted into God’s eternal family? What does the significance of that adoption mean to you personally?
• As an heir of Christ, do you believe that God has a plan for your life? How do you tangibly feel the depth of his love for you, like the way a father or mother loves their children?