Adopted by God

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Scripture: John 1:12-13 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, the gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (ESV)

Devotion:

          The Apostle John writing here in the beginning of his Gospel tells us that if we will receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord of our lives. The Father will adopt us as sons and daughters of God. This world tries to tell us that we as Christians are somehow not “with it” when it comes to earthly things. However, God has an altogether different view of the people Jesus has gained for him. We are God’s own children chosen out of the world to be special children of God. We are chosen to have a special relationship with God that nothing in this world or out of this world can break.

          In our current cultural situation those who follow Christ must live differently than those around us. Because the culture looks down on the fatherhood of God. People seek to live their lives as spiritual orphans making their own way in the world. They proclaim their identities as individuals proudly. Rejecting any type of restraint on their lives. We, however, as Christians we have been adopted by a loving Father. We have guidance for how to live our lives. We find that guidance in the Bible and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We should be proclaiming from the mountain tops how wonderful it is to live as God’s children in this world.

          Paul writes about our adoption as children of God here in Romans 8:14-17. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV) Paul here encourages us to live our lives as Christians not in fear or dismay when we face adversity in the world, but rather we are to live as victors because we will, in the end, come out on top in the race of life.

          So, take heart and do not fear if you are set apart for God through faith in Jesus. Your reward awaits you in heaven and in the resurrection of the saints when Jesus comes again to rule in the new earth. You will be celebrated as the sons and daughters of God there for all eternity. Any present distress or suffering will be worth it when you receive your eternal reward.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting us as your children. Thank you for loving us enough to bring us into your heavenly family with all the angels and saints of the past. Be near to us we pray and comfort us in our present distress and sufferings. Help us to always remember that we are children of the King. Amen.

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