Adoption is Forever

Ephesians 1:4b–8 (NIV) “In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Q: If salvation wasn’t permanent why introduce the concept of adoption? If losing our salvation were possible, wouldn’t it have been better just to describe salvation in terms of a conditional contract between man and God? Why would God choose, before the foundation of the world, to adopt someone He knew He would eventually have to unadopt? People who believe that they can lose their position as children of God are set up for a serious case of spiritual insecurity. After all…How deep can a person’s relationship with God really go if God cannot or will not pledge His unconditional love and acceptance of them? Not very deep...! They would be waiting all the time for Him to say “I don’t love you or want you anymore.” Can you imagine the emotional state of a child who does not know from day to day whether or not he is a member of the family? Today, since he was a good boy, he is considered a member. But tomorrow, if he misbehaves, he may no longer be a member. Today he is loved by his father. Tomorrow he may not be. That child would be a mess! The good news is that WHEN you belong to Christ, you are part of the family, and YOU get to enjoy all the benefits of that—including the emotional security that your Heavenly Father wants you FOREVER. Maybe you didn’t have a great dad growing up.. just don’t infer his deficiencies onto God! God is a great God and would never abuse or abandon you. He chose you and He isn’t giving you back.