Receiving Adoption
Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”
“But when the set time had fully come…”
Meticulously crafted and precisely prepared for, God’s plan was carried out to the final detail. When the moment came for the Messiah to be born, it wasn’t a surprise or an accident. It was right on time. It was one holy moment where all of creation could at last exhale, “Finally.”
“God sent his Son, born of a woman…”
The Son of God left heaven to be born. What could be a more humble act of sacrifice? He took on human form and lived His life here on earth.
“Born under the law, to redeem those under the law…”
God's law includes standards that men and women could never have lived up to on their own. Jesus, born under the law, lived a life no one else ever had—a perfect one. And in living a perfect life, He not only fulfilled the requirements of the law, He bore our burden of righteousness and gave it to us freely. He redeemed us. From under the law to being in Christ, we know what redemption is because the one perfect person came to redeem us.
“... that we might receive adoption to sonship…”
Read that last part again: ”that we might receive adoption to sonship.” That we might become the family of God. We “receive” because we are no longer earning. We receive “adoption” because He is bringing us in. We have “sonship” because we are His own. But take one more look at that third word: “Might."
This adoption isn’t forced. It isn’t required, it isn’t demanded, and it isn’t a result of coercion or pressure. It’s an invitation. It’s a choice. It’s not conditional based on who you are, where you’re from, or the things you’ve done. It’s simply a chance to receive. Just receive.
Are you ready to be adopted into the family of God? Are you ready to receive the righteousness Jesus gave everything for you to have? It’s yours to receive. You don’t have to wait a minute longer. Your adoption is three words away:
“Jesus, I believe.”
Remembering God
Have you ever been awestruck by a sunset? Or left speechless by the meticulous details of the living cell, the human eye, the mysterious ocean, or the vast universe? How often do you think about what God has made, or the ways that He has worked?
The psalmist Asaph, wrote:
“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy, What god is great like our God?"
Psalm 77:12-13 ESV
One of the best things we can do is remember God—how He gives good gifts, writes the best stories, and is constantly making beauty from ashes. He created us, pursued us, and even gave His own life for us.
But remembering God takes intentionality.
Remembering God doesn't happen on accident, which is why we have to intentionally commit to reflecting on Him each day. Purposefully remembering God’s bigness helps us recognize our smallness. Deliberately recalling His goodness helps us understand our deep need for Him.
Pondering God’s work and meditating on ...
“And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el. And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, ...
The Mission of God
All of our lives are spent on something. Most people spend their days focused on growing a family, building their career, or amassing possessions.
While none of those things are necessarily wrong, they can become distractions from our ultimate goal in life.
In the book of Acts, we see Paul’s transformation in Christ. As a result of meeting Jesus and being changed by His grace, Paul spends the rest of his life preaching the good news of Jesus.
For Paul, God’s grace and salvation are so great that nothing on this earth is as important as God’s work.
Paul says that nothing in His life matters as much as telling others about God’s grace. His goal in life was to finish his own race well by faithfully accomplishing as much of the mission of God as possible:
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace."
Acts 20:24 NIV
The mission ...