Adoption is Final!

“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. He wanted us to enter into … his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” Eph. 1:5-6 (The Message). “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Co. 5:21

Does our spiritual attitude match our spiritual belief? In studying this morning I realized that my pursuit of spiritual perfection reveals my spiritual insecurity of being chosen by God. We are boldly and clearly told in Scripture that God had us in mind before we were ever formed. He pursued us for adoption knowing the blessings and love He intended to lavish upon us.

He knew ahead of time that we would not be righteous enough to stand in His presence due to sin in a fallen world. He sent a substitution in His Son to bear our sins so that we may enjoy and delight in Him every day. So why do I strive to be perfect on my own when the work has been done in completion on the cross? Why is the energy of trying to be spiritually perfect not placed in the things of God and the advancement of His kingdom? He has done the work and the adoption is final! He thought of everything in preparing for our fellowship with Him.

To adopt is ‘to accept, take on, embrace, approve, agree and assume the responsibility of.’ We are told in the Bible we are adopted sons and daughters so why do we punish ourselves for every little spiritual infraction once we have repented. As Charles Stanley states, ‘we are self-defeaters.’ He is our Father and forgives us instantly when we approach Him with true repentance and humility for any wrongdoing. Once He forgives, it is done. He knew we would be unable to live life sinless so He provided for us to walk to Him over the Bridge of the Sinless. Christ is our righteous Bridge that crosses the divide between the sinner and the God of creation.

The struggle for me has not been the belief that God has chosen me – it was the belief that God continues to choose me. God’s choice in us is in the past. Living in the joy and delight of His choice is our present and future legacy.