God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5
In our Bible study yesterday, we saw that the apostle Paul began the book of Ephesians by letting his readers know that they were chosen by God from the very beginning. This truth changes everything. It means that no person is an afterthought. Each individual on earth matters to God and was created with a purpose in mind: to live for Him. After teaching this life-altering truth, Paul explained another remarkable truth about those who place their faith in Him: we are adopted into His family.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 1, “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure” (verse 5). When we place our faith in Christ, we are no longer outsiders. We are adopted into God’s family. Being adopted into God’s family makes all the difference. Adoption means that we get to enjoy all of the privileges that come with being a part of God's family. Adoption gives us a new title: children of God. Paul said it this way in Galatians 4, “Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” This father-child relationship described by Paul in Galatians 4 is one of the most personal relationships, and it carries with it certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities.
One of the most incredible privileges of being a child of God is that it means access. It does not matter if the parent is the king, the biggest movie star, or the star athlete everyone is talking about. Children have access to their parents. In the same way, because we are children of God, we have access to Him. Because He is our Heavenly Father, we can always come to Him with our joy, sadness, successes, and struggles. We do not have to receive permission to pray to Him. We do not have to have it all together before we go to Him. We get to come to Him as children of the Most High King.
You, my friend, are a child of the King. As His child, He wants to hear from you. Take some time to pray to God as your Heavenly Father who loves you. Share with Him what is on your mind like you would share with a loving father. Ask Him for help in the areas where you are struggling, just like you would turn to a good father for help. Be sure to tell Him how much you love Him. After all, He loves you so.
Read Ephesians 1:1-6
1This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
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