Adoption (Ephesians 1:5-6)

Adoption (Ephesians 1:5-6)

In love

Paul uses the phrase “in love” to connect how God has chosen us before the foundation of the world with God predestining us to adoption. God has done all of this because of His great love for His people.

He predestined us to adoption

The word predestined literally means to determine beforehand. Before the foundation of the world and before we had ever done any good or evil God determined that He would adopt us. In the process of adoption our previous family (the world, the flesh, and the devil) lost all their legal power over us. We were born again into a new family, the family of God. Because adopted children could never be disowned or disinherited, we are a part of God’s family forever, and we can never lose our inheritance in heaven.

By Jesus Christ to Himself

This adoption is made possible by Jesus Christ death on the cross. In His death the legal hold our previous family had on us was forever broken. In His resurrection our new birth into the family of God was brought about. In addition to being part of the family of God, God has adopted us to Himself. We are now His and bear His name.

According to the good pleasure of His will

Why would God do this? Why would He predestine us? Why would He adopt us? The answer is simple. It made Him happy to will such a thing. Notice He did not predestine us or adopt us based upon our will, decision, choice, or faith. We have been predestined to adoption not because we are good but because God is good. He did not choose us or desire us because we chose Him or were desirable. He choose us because of His amazing grace.

To the praise of His glorious grace

This decree that makes us God’s children should result in us praising Him for His grace. Predestination is nothing less than the doctrine of grace. Adoption is nothing less than God’s glorious grace on display. The whole of our salvation is by God’s amazing grace. We had nothing to do with it, but we are the recipients of all of it. God is to be praised for our salvation!

Accepted in the Beloved

In this grace, God has accepted us in His Beloved Son, Jesus. We are now accepted by God. This acceptance is not because of us, it is because of Jesus. We are now as accepted as Jesus is. We are now treated as Jesus is treated.

Application:

Do you believe this? Will you come to Jesus to become His beloved child? Will you tells others of His grace? Will you praise God for His grace? In light of your adoption, will you open your heart and home to adopt others? Will you show the same grace that God has shown us to children who are in need?

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