Adoptive Children of God

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. So then, just as you have received Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Col. 2:2-3, 6

This passage has so much spiritual information for us to consider. In reading this passage this morning I was reminded of a family for whom I use to babysit. This family had an extremely comfortable lifestyle financially speaking and seemed to have the nicest of luxuries. A few years into knowing this family they adopted a 13 year girl who lived in a girl’s home for a large part of her life. Once she belonged to that family many luxuries were made to be a part of her life as she had never known before. Because that couple chose her and loved her as their own she inherited their love, position in their family and all the benefits of what they could offer. Through her acceptance in their family she had access to everything they possessed.

This is similar to Paul’s passage in Colossians. The mystery of God for which he refers is the life found in Christ once we accept Christ as the Head of the church, the Christians. He built the Kingdom on earth through his birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection. He alone possesses every treasure we need to ascertain every nugget of truth and resolution for our lives. Through His love for us He chose us and called us to be in His family. By our loving response to accept Him we gain access to everything He has to offer. The more deeply we enter into fellowship with Him the more He reveals His wisdom and knowledge. The Believer’s Bible Commentary states, “It is a well known principle of Scripture that the Lord reveals His secrets to those who are close to Him…Paul wants the saints (us) to use Christ, to utilize His resources, to draw upon Him in every emergency…The treasures in Christ are hidden from unbelief; and even the believer needs to know Christ intimately to enter into them.” p. 2000-2001

We have all been adopted by Christ and have full access to everything the Head of the family desires to give to us. Will we waste our inheritance or will we claim every treasure He intends for us?