First, it probably would be best to start off reading Ephesians 1:1-14. If need be, you can always to the OakRoadLutheran youtube channel and watch the video from the message for this past Sunday. It will lend a few interesting insights into the text.
But for today, let's focus on these three words that Paul uses in these verses. They all speak of an element of God's relationship with us. First, Paul uses the word adoption. Now, I think that's a word that we are pretty familiar with. Adoption gets talked about a lot in our day and age. It's when a parent or parents decide to bring a child into their family. Typically, the child is in some fairly unfavorable circumstances, and therefore, the move to this new family is seen as an improvement.
How is God adopting you as His child an improvement in your life? Perhaps you haven't thought about that too much before. From one standpoint, we start off life permanently separated from our God, destined to be condemned. Therefore it's a great improvement that God adopts us into His family. We might not regularly think about where we were headed prior to being brought into God's family, but when God adopted us, the most significant change to ever enter our life came into being.
Being in God's household means that we have an inheritance. We are part of God's everlasting reign and kingdom. Everything that belongs to God belongs to us. That's because we are now His children. Think of it, too, from this standpoint. We spend so much time trying to acquire things to make our lives in this world better. But, in essence, it's like trying to make the tent you stay in during your weekend camping into your permanent home. It's going to have to be taken down, and there's something far better that lies ahead. When we think of the inheritance that we have in store, it puts our need for the things of this world into a better perspective. Are they helpful and nice? Sure. But they sure aren't the end goal of our lives. And I do think we often need that reminder.
Finally, Paul writes that God has put His Spirit on us as a guarantee. Since we have been adopted as God's children, we have the inheritance He has prepared for us, and God puts His guarantee into us. His Holy Spirit lives within us as a guarantee of what lies in store for us. When we were washed in baptism, God basically put His deposit down on you, and then said, I will claim this one, no doubt about it. That's the guarantee you have in God.
In what ways do these words impact you? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!
But for today, let's focus on these three words that Paul uses in these verses. They all speak of an element of God's relationship with us. First, Paul uses the word adoption. Now, I think that's a word that we are pretty familiar with. Adoption gets talked about a lot in our day and age. It's when a parent or parents decide to bring a child into their family. Typically, the child is in some fairly unfavorable circumstances, and therefore, the move to this new family is seen as an improvement.
How is God adopting you as His child an improvement in your life? Perhaps you haven't thought about that too much before. From one standpoint, we start off life permanently separated from our God, destined to be condemned. Therefore it's a great improvement that God adopts us into His family. We might not regularly think about where we were headed prior to being brought into God's family, but when God adopted us, the most significant change to ever enter our life came into being.
Being in God's household means that we have an inheritance. We are part of God's everlasting reign and kingdom. Everything that belongs to God belongs to us. That's because we are now His children. Think of it, too, from this standpoint. We spend so much time trying to acquire things to make our lives in this world better. But, in essence, it's like trying to make the tent you stay in during your weekend camping into your permanent home. It's going to have to be taken down, and there's something far better that lies ahead. When we think of the inheritance that we have in store, it puts our need for the things of this world into a better perspective. Are they helpful and nice? Sure. But they sure aren't the end goal of our lives. And I do think we often need that reminder.
Finally, Paul writes that God has put His Spirit on us as a guarantee. Since we have been adopted as God's children, we have the inheritance He has prepared for us, and God puts His guarantee into us. His Holy Spirit lives within us as a guarantee of what lies in store for us. When we were washed in baptism, God basically put His deposit down on you, and then said, I will claim this one, no doubt about it. That's the guarantee you have in God.
In what ways do these words impact you? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!
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