Thursday, May 31, 2007

God's Mission: Adoption


I am just going to pass this one along. I have no need to comment, it speaks for itself. Take a few minutes to reflect on these words from Max Lucado, in The Great House of God.

“When we come to Christ, God not only forgives us, he also adopts us. Through a dramatic series of events, we go from condemned orphans with no hope to be adopted children with no fear. Here is how it happens. You come before the judgment seat of God full of rebellion and mistakes. Because of his justice he cannot dismiss your sin, but because of his love he cannot dismiss you. So, in an act which stunned the heavens, he punished himself on the cross for your sins. God’s justice and love are equally honored. And you, God’s creation, are forgiven. But the story doesn’t end with God’s forgiveness.

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15-16 NASB)

“But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a women, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 NASB)

“It would be enough if God just cleansed your name, but he does more. He gives you his name. It be enough if God just set you free, but he does more. He takes you home. He takes you home to the Great House of God.

“Adoptive parents understand this more than anyone. They know what it means to feel an empty space inside. They know what it means to hunt, to set out on a mission, and take responsibility or a child with a spotted past and dubious future.

“God has adopted you. God sought you, found you, signed the papers, and took you home.”

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