Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV)
When it comes to the word "adoption" in the Bible - I have a very tender heart to this concept because our family has seen 3 adoptions take place over the years. Adoption in the Roman Culture was a really big thing - especially when it came to sons. If a person didn't have a natural born son to inherit his estate he would be adopt an underpriviledged boy to be his son and rightful heir. This was not a small decision for it carried the whole weight of the legal system. That boy, even though he might have been raised in less-than circumstances would become a full-fledged son with rights to the properties and monies that were in the estate. He wasn't consided a half-son or even an adopted son. He was considered a full son in every sense of the word - in name and in responsibility. It is no different in our lives also. Before we became Christians - we weren't living for God and we weren't part of the family of God. We were in the world and living and doing our own thing. But then something happened - we realized that our lives were sinful and we then made that journey to God where He totally forgave us and made us His son or daughter. He didn't do this lightly but with His sacrifice on the cross He made it legal so that we could fully be adopted into His family. We are now His sons and daugthers fully. We have an inheritance awaiting for us. We are not God's step children but fully accepted and recognized as a legal son/ daughter of God. Think about that as you read this - you belong to God and you carry His name over your life today. No matter what your past has been like - your future is going to be so much better. God loves you so much and He is preparing for you to live with Him someday. In fact, He is preparing a mansion just for you. So, put away those negative thoughts about yourself because you are somebody special - you are God's child and He is so in love with you and so proud of you today! You are one of God's kids!
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