Adopted: Verb or Adjective

My mom sent this devotional to me the other day and it is the most beautiful description of adoption.

Adopted:   Verb or Adjective?

 

God has one "begotten" Son.  He adopted the rest!  But the Bible never refers to us as adopted children, only as children.  "Adopted" is the action God used to make us His children but is never used to describe us.

 

As "children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3), we needed God's adoption action.  It cost Him.  He gave His only-begotten Son so we might become "sons."  Through faith in His adoption process of death and resurrection, we receive the inheritance of eternal life and the unparalleled privilege of coming to Him as dear children come to their Father.

 

What a positive light this sheds on earthly adoptions!  Couples sometimes say, "We want our own child."  That's understandable.  But there are two ways to get your own child - through birth and through adoption.  Once either is accomplished, the couple has not a "birth child" or an "adopted child" but their own child, a gift from God.

 

Rejoice today in your adoption by your heavenly Father.  Pray for couples seeking to adopt.  Pray for the children needing a family.  Adoption - what a positive and loving action!

 

Abba, Father, thank you for making me Your very own child.  Amen.

This is a picture Anthony drew of our family today during church. We are so thankful for the blessing of our boys!