National Adoption Month

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National Adoption Month
       
Friday, November 7, 2014
Jeff Lampl

You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!"  Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child?
And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. 
Galatians 4:6-7 (MSG)  

 “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.”
Romans 8:14-17 (NIV2011)

Could anything be nearer to the heart of God than adoption?   Is it through adoption that a Christian is a Christian.  It is through God’s decision to choose you to be his daughter or son that you are a daughter or son of God.   It is through the cost of adoption, Jesus’ death on the cross, that you have a place in God’s forever family that cannot be lost.   The truth is that you have been adopted.  

There is another truth however, the truth that the question in the picture above alludes to.   Every adopted child has the freedom to live into his or her adoption or to claim independence from it.   There is a sense in which even the darkest and most recalcitrant rebel can truly say “I have been adopted by God and am an heir to the riches of God’s glory” yet at the very same time miss it all because of her or his refusal to come home.   Are you “living into” your adoption by simply believing that God has signed your adoption papers, believing that he has chosen you, and by living with confidence in Him?

One more question.  Would you like play God?   You can adopt a child of any age who needs to know what God’s unconditional, forever love feels like up close and in the most profound and personal of ways.  

Check out these video clips.  As your heart goes out to these kids, you’ll be experiencing a small, small taste of how God’s heart goes out to you.

www.youtube.com/adoptpakids 

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*For ongoing biblical encouragement follow Pastor Jeff on twitter @jefflampl