Adoption...

Can you imagine prospective adoptive parents saying, "We'd like to adopt this child, but first we want to know a few things. Does he have a house to live in? Does he have any money? Does he have a car or really cool clothes?"

No adoption agency in their right mind would sit still long enough to listen to that. They would say, "Wait a minute. You don't understand. You don't adopt the child because of what he has; you adopt him because of what he needs. He needs a home, he needs love."

The same is true with God. He doesn't adopt us because of we have. He doesn't give us His name because of our wit or wallet or good attitude. Adoption is something we receive, not something we earn.

We are welcome in God's house because we have been adopted by the owner, the parent. God has adopted you. God sought you, found you, signed the papers in blood and brought you home. It would be enough if God just cleansed your name, but He does more. He gives you a name. It would be enough if God just set you free, but He does more. He takes you home. God adopted you simply because He wanted to. You were in His good will and pleasure. Knowing full well the trouble you would be and the price He would pay, He signed His name next to yours, changed His name to your and adopted you and took you home!

In Christ,
Rick