November 10, 2017

“Adopted”

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27

Last week we explored our identity as adopted children of God. We came face-to-face with our story acknowledging that at one time we had an evil father who hated us. While he sought to destroy and take advantage of us, God was seeking out something utterly different for us. God desperately wanted us, so He sent His son to Earth. He undeservedly chose us when we had no ability to save ourselves. He undeniably loved us by sentencing Christ to die on the cross to pay the sin debt we couldn’t pay. Then he adopted us asĀ His own. And this should change everything! This week we will take a look at how our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of Jesus should impact our view of and participation in earthly adoption. While earthly adoption is not entirely the same as heavenly adoption salvation, it still serves as a beautiful picture. It is also a practical way to carry out the Lord’s command to love others. God adopted us to be His. There are 10 places in the Bible where God either describes himself as being a provider for the fatherless or commands His followers to provide for the fatherless. Jesus Himself was adopted by Joseph and thus part of an adoptive family. To say that adoption is near to the heart of God is an understatement. This week we’ll consider, “How can each of us be a father (or mother) to the fatherless?” And, “How can we as a church be obedient to Christ and serve alongside Him to love the orphan?” Clayton Kreisel