Theres a we, us, and our in Ephesians 1 that has been blessed ... with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, who are predestined ... to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made [them] accepted in the Beloved (vss. 3-6). Who are those people in these first person plural pronouns? Only one possible answer: the entire human race. Christ is the Savior of the world (John 4:42; 1 Tim. 4:10). But how can you know that you personally are adopted? You, individually, have a first-class personal validation of this adoption in the longing sigh of your lonely heart that cries out, Abba, Father! (See Rom. 8:15.) But you also have another personal validation of this adoption: the same text hints at it--we suffer with Him, meaning that we may also be glorified together. Hebrews 12 spells out more vividly this other personal assurance of your adoption into the family of God: The exhortation ... speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (vss. 5-7). Do you know disappointments, setbacks, disasters, crushing and humiliating heart-rejection? Your first thought is, God has forsaken me! But stay a little longer on your knees and you will sense the tie of personal kinship now being forged with Christ. He will never let Himself be glorified unless and until He shares the glory together with you, as Romans 8 said! Theres every reason for you to be assured that youve been adopted. Now live like the adopted son or daughter that you are; honor your Father
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 17:37:32 +0000
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