A while back, Bonnie showed me an ad that featured a photograph of a dog offered for adoption. “This mutt would be a tougher one to adopt,” she said. As she read on, she discovered the mutt was named — drum roll — BONNIE!
“After much reflection,” she said, laughing, “I guess we are all mutts. Isn’t it cool that God is willing to adopt us?”
In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. In his love he chose us to be his holy people—people without blame before him. And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him. This brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3b-6 (ICB)
Sometimes it may be hard to grasp; we are one of God’s holy people. It’s true! Since we are united with Christ, in God’s eyes, we are indeed holy and without fault. Holy means we have been set-apart and declared blameless. This in no way suggests we are perfect. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 (NLT)
God isn’t looking for perfection, he is looking for people who believe in the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:24-25
Being an adopted child of God means much more than just being freed from the penalty for our sins. It means having the Spirit of Jesus working in us to help us live what the apostle Paul called “a life worthy of your calling.”
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Ephesians 4:1-4 (NLT)
As adopted children of God, we strive to become more like Christ.
Our growth as children of God will “continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)
Some of us are mutts; some may have pedigrees, but we are all the same in God’s eyes. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NIV)
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Please send an email to Don,Sennott@sbcglobal.net
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