Last week I shared with you the story of our son’s adoption. I shared how this amazing course of events reminds me of the spiritual truth that God adopts us as His children. I ended last week’s Spot of Grace with Ephesians 1:5: In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
Today I want to explore with you God’s motivation for adopting us. If you were to honestly think about it, you would likely agree that none of us deserve to be adopted. God is perfect and deserves children that worship and obey Him perfectly. I am not capable of perfect obedience, and I am not capable of perfect worship. It’s easy for me to do what I want to do, and to do what I think is best. God deserves a lot more from me than I am ever able to give Him.
It is because of our sin that we are not His children from birth. We were once among those who were condemned. We were sinners, far from God. In fact, the Bible describes us as enemies of God:
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Colossians 1:21
This does not describe the relationship of a child with their Father. It describes a relationship where one is in opposition to another. We were once ‘hostile in mind, doing evil deeds’, so why would God reach out and make adoption possible?
God allows us to be adopted simply through His mercy. Mercy means receiving something we do not deserve. It is a merciful thing for you to not hold a grudge when others fail you. Think about these verses:
…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8:
In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:5
Consider the words of the hymn, At Calvary:
Years I spent in vanity and pride
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
Now I’ve given to Jesus everything
Now I gladly own Him as my King
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary.
Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!
Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.
Have a good week, child of God … by the mercy of God.
Pastor Glyn Knight
