The Bible says that we have been adopted by God as beloved children.
As stated in Galatians 4:5: “…to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship….”
For a long time, the word “adoption” bothered me. Perhaps because it carries a connotation of not being directly begotten, as if it were less important.
But today, I see it as something even deeper, because we were chosen.
Desired
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:16
A biological child is often unexpected and unplanned. In some situations, we even hear the word “accident” when referring to a pregnancy.
Having a child is a blessing, and pregnancy is a gift. But truly, depending on the timing in the parents’ lives, it may not be desired right away.
This is not the case with adoption. The process of adopting someone is filled with difficulties, choices, decisions, and planning. It does not happen by chance at an undesired time.
God loves Jesus as a son begotten by Him, as part of Who He Is, and loves us as chosen and set apart children.
God and Father
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Romans 8:17
I don’t want to seem like I’m comparing us to Jesus and diminishing Who He Is. He is the very Son sent by God for the salvation of many, and nothing diminishes that Divine love. But I want you to understand how loved you are. We were conceived in His heart.
Even with your mistakes, failures, and shortcomings, the Lord chooses to be your Father! You are chosen, and He knows you.
No matter how your relationship with your earthly parents is, above and before all, you are a child of the Creator and can rest in the truth that you are cherished and cared for by Him.
You have an identity as a beloved child. Just as when children are adopted and receive a birth certificate with their parents’ names, you have received this identity. There is so much of God in you; He continuously empowers you and pours gifts and ministries into your life.
Identity of Christ
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5
Within you lies the authority and strength of Jesus; you were formed in love and grace. God has entrusted to you, as a co-heir and child, the Kingdom and everything within it.
If you have within you the fullness of what God is, then you are also called to be an ambassador of this truth.
A child knows their parents, lives their entire life in proximity, and therefore has knowledge to speak about them to others. And God calls you to act in this same way too.
Seek to know Him so that you can also speak of Him to others. We can only speak of what we have lived…
Live God! Truly live the gospel! Be a child.
We are family!
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9
We did not find God. We were found by Him, in our worst version, we were loved and chosen. We were sinful orphans, but through the blood of the Lamb, we were rescued and transformed, becoming part of the family of Christ.
You are more than you think. You are greater than what you are going through in your life. Not because of your deeds or what you can offer, but because within you there is an identity of a beloved child.
You were chosen!
