ADOPTED

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Eph. 1:5).

In New Testament times, adoption was practiced in a way that differs from our modern method. Learning about it greatly enhances our understanding of this scripture.

According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, “Roman law required that the adopter be a male and childless; the one to be adopted had to be an independent adult, able to agree to be adopted. In the eyes of the law, the adopted one became a new creature; he was regarded as being born again into the new family.”

In God’s great love, through Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family. We are His sons and daughters! This alone is an undeniable gift, but when we read through the first chapter of Ephesians, we learn there’s more... much more:

Everything given to Jesus is transferred to us.

God clearly has a will, purpose and plan for our lives that begins with a new identity. The first chapter of Ephesians gives us a list of all we gain:

We have every spiritual blessing (v. 3). We’re chosen (v. 4).

We’re His children (v. 5).

We’re redeemed (v. 7).

We’re forgiven (v. 7).

We’re part of His purpose for the world (v. 9). We’ve obtained an inheritance (v. 11).

We’re sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13).

That list takes my breath away. I encourage you to read through it again and really think about what each one means and how it plays out in your life.

We may never be rich in this life, but we’re loaded in Christ!

No wonder Paul was such a grateful guy. He was painfully aware of his own sin and putrid past (check out his story in Acts 9:1-31). Paul never forgot where he came from and who he’d been before meeting Jesus, but (and this is an important but), he also never dwelled there.

He was changed from a slaughterer to a son. He was called to be more, and so are we.

Christ has adopted you as His child. How does that change how you see Him and yourself?