Biblical FoundationsSample

What does it mean to be adopted? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as "legally taking another's child and bringing it up as one's own." Those seem like simple words on a page, but they mean so much more to the parties involved. Adoption is a lifelong commitment that requires time, energy, and many resources. It takes a giant leap for the parents and an equally large leap of faith for the child--expected to come into a new family and settle in as if it is the way things have always been. Adoption requires a great deal of love and trust. While adoption is a beautiful and life-giving event, it also is challenging. Every earthly adoption is accompanied by a loss. If the child needs a new family, they have lost the family into which they were born. Lots of emotion, pain, and struggle often accompany this.
Adoption into God’s family is different. We lose nothing, and gain everything. Christ fully bore the loss, and made a way for us to be grafted into the family of God. When we place our trust in Christ, we walk away from the deadly consequence of our sin. We exchange separation and death for peace and eternal life with God. This doesn’t mean our lives will be trouble-free or without pain. It means that the indwelling presence of God provides peace that passes all understanding and helps us navigate this broken world in a way that glorifies our Father in heaven.
• Have you been adopted into God's family? If not, what is your hesitation?
• How are you representing the adopted name God gave you, His child?

PRAYER:

Lord, allow me to see the importance of being adopted into your family. Show me ways in which I can represent your name well. Thank you for adopting me and calling me your own.