As we continue to talk about what it means to be in Christ, today we will look at our salvation and adoption into the family of God.
Ephesians 1:5 NIV “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
We first see that everything starts in love, love is not an attribute of God, Love is God and God is love. We could say that love himself predestined us for adoption.
The love part of this verse is key as we talk about who we are in Christ, in Christ we are loved by love himself. Think about this, no matter who has rejected us in the past or present, no matter who thinks we are not worthy, that God, the King of the universe loved us and called us to be His child.
We further understand this love when we recognize that someone has to choose to adopt, God did not have to choose us and Jesus did not have to choose to leave Heaven and come to earth. God chose us to be part of His family and we chose to be part of His.
Romans 8:14-17 NIV “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 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.”
All of this according to HIS GOOD PLEASURE AND WILL. This is the love of God, this is the life of the believer, a son of God, a place with your name on it at the family table.
This understanding needs to come in when we pray. Let me give you an example, when you go over to someones house and you would like something to drink you ask them somewhat hesitantly when they haven’t offered if you can have a drink. On the other hand, when you walk into your parents house even when you are fifty years old, you walk in, open the fridge, and get a coke. Notice the difference?
Many Christians go the first rout with God. God is our Father, the scripture says it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom, instead of begging prayer, let’s have believing prayer.
Now understand when we talk of God as Father we arent speaking of not honoring Him as God or taking reverence out of prayer. Just like with a good earthly dad there is honor yet comfort in approach, the same goes for God.
As believers, let’s really take hold of this truth of sonship.
Ephesians 1:6-10 NIV “to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (8) that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, (9) he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, (10) to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
He has freely given, all we must do is choose to accept it. At the point we accept it we have redemption (deliverance and salvation), we are delivered from the hand of the enemy and the kingdom of darkness and saved unto God and the Kingdom of light (His dear son).
He makes known to us the mystery of His will, this goes beyond the mystery of salvation. We have all heard people say that God says no man knows the mind of the Lord.
Let’s look at the oft quoted verse, 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Now let’s look at the very next verse, pay attention to the first word BUT. 1 Corinthians 2:10 NKJV “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
Look at 1 John 2:20 NKJV “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”
The Spirit was given to remind, teach, and reveal, we do not have to be in the dark concerning God’s will like so many say. Well I just don’t know if it’s God’s will for me to have that job? Well ask Him! I don’t know if it’s God’s will for me to be healed? Ask Him!
Many times the will of God for a situation sits on our coffee tables unopened! The will of God is written in the Word of God!
God’s will is as follows:
It is God’s will that you be sanctified – 1 Thessalonians 4:3
The Lord delights in (wills) the prosperity of His servant – Psalm 35:27
That all men be saved – 2 Peter 3:9
There are so many promises in God’s word, the promises of God are the will of God, get your Bible, begin to pray, and discover His will for you!
Now, just because something is God’s will does not make it automatic in our lives. We have to come to Him in repentance and faith for salvation.
We have to surrender ourselves, our full selves in order to receive the work of sanctification by the Spirit.
Prosperity won’t just happen, we must tithe and be wise with money in order for God to bestow prosperity un us.
Every promise in God’s word is conditional, why? Because if God did not give conditions he would have to bless the wicked, and God being a just God will not do that.
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
When we believed we were marked and sealed with the promise of the Spirit. We saw earlier in Romans chapter eight that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. He is also the one who guarantees our inheritance. What does that mean? The Spirit is the one who leads us in claiming and proclaiming the promises in and for our lives, and He is the one that brings about the fulfillment of our faith proclamations.
As Children of God let us walk as sons and daughters in the earth and claim every promise for our lives. Jesus prayed that The Kingdom would manifest here on earth as it was in Heaven. It’s time to start making the Kingdom manifest in our lives through our confession and through our prayer life.