FIRST WORD: FORGIVENESS

 FIRST WORD: FORGIVENESS

The greatest mercy that we can ever receive from the hand of God is the forgiveness of sin! Every other mercy is a form of judgment if not accompanied by such pardon and grace. In Luke 23:34, Jesus prayed, “ Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

This was not an intercessory prayer for family and friends and all those who loved Him. This was not a “cum bah yah” moment. It was a prayer for people who hated Him. For those who had spat upon Him. For those who mocked Him. For those who scorned Him. For those who nailed Him to that cross.

They crucified Him in ignorance and unbelief. Yet he desired the very best for the very worst and was most loving while He was most hated! Can you even imagine such mercy?

Jesus asked His Father to forgive them. Did the Father answer that prayer? Forty days later at Pentecost the book of Acts says that thousands were saved and His prayer was answered. Many repented and were commanded to believe and were baptized. His prayer on the cross was efficacious, effective, answered.

Can you pray that prayer for those who are your enemies?

Do you pray that prayer for those who like you least?

Jesus prayed this prayer for people like you and me. John 17:20-26

“The Love of God” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnvmKoLWUU

Last Words of Jesus

 HIS LAST WORDS

A man’s last words, provided he is in his right mind, usually will provide us with insight into the man’s character and life. Paul the Apostle, wasting away in a Roman prison cell, uttered these words:

“I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith; therefore, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all those who have loved His appearing.” 

                                                                                                                 II Timothy 4:6-8

Utterly profound!

When Jesus Christ was dying on the cross, He also spoke and did so in a glorious manner. Three of His sayings were directed to His Father and four of His sayings were directed to others. Hanging on that cross, with life ebbing from His body, with blood dripping onto the cursed earth, amidst all the jeering and scorn and laughter and glee --- the Son of God spoke words so mighty and majestic that they should cause us to say “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” Mark 15:39

Jesus had this to say about His own words:

“The words that I have spoken to you; they are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63

“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has Himself given me a commandment --- what to say and what to speak. And I know that this commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”  John 12:49-50

Dying words from the Son of God. Hanging on the cross. Those seven words or sayings will be the subject of our next seven days!

“Go, Rest High on that Mountain”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwFiWCUkk4M

Redemption and Adoption

 REDEMPTION AND ADOPTION

Adoption is a distinct part of the eternal plan of redemption and carries with it distinct blessings and privileges. How is adoption different from regeneration? Different from justification? Related to redemption? Glad you asked.

Redemption is a comprehensive term. It has to do with regeneration, conversion, repentance, faith, predestination, election, justification, sanctification and glorification. Some people, without thinking, just lump adoption into the aspect of justification or simply believe that it is a blessing from regeneration. It is much more than that! Please read the following carefully.

Justification means that our acceptance before God as righteous ones and the bestowal of the title to eternal life. Justification is totally based on the merits of Christ alone.Justification is something that God does; it is a pronouncement by the Lord. He declares that we are righteous. See Romans 3:21-26

Regeneration is the renewing of our hearts, the impartation of spiritual life whereby we can ultimately be conformed to the image of God. We are made new creatures and now can understand and see Biblical truth. New life is breathed into spiritually dead people.

But these blessings in themselves, however precious they are, do not indicate what is conferred by the blessing of adoption. By adoption, the redeemed become sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty; we are introduced into and given all the privileges of God’s family. Neither justification nor regeneration precisely expresses that. John 1:12 reinforces that particular truth.

A foster father can give the foster children gifts but legally he cannot confer on them his name. A male friend may give a fatherless child some money but he cannot confer on that child -- legally -- his name. He does not possess the legal right to do so. God gives us gifts and blessings and promises and wealth AND changes our name because He has the right and authority to do so!

“I’m a child of the King, a child of the King

With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King”

“Hush-a-by” by the Gettys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AjmamMy7UY

Adoption, Regeneration & Justification

 ADOPTION, REGENERATION & JUSTIFICATION

There is more to be said about adoption and the relation of adoption to other acts of grace. It is an act of grace that transfers us into God’s family. This is an apex and privilege and we would dare not claim it for ourselves without the revelation of God’s truth and subsequent assurance. I want to mention four perspectives we need with this trifecta of relationships. 

Though adoption is distinct from regeneration and justification, it is really never separable from those truths.  The one who is regenerated is made a son of God. The person who is justified is always the recipient of sonship.

Adoption is similar to justification in that it is a judicial act. Adoption is the bestowal of a changed status or standing, not the regenerating of new life within. It is concerned with a new relationship. And we can now recognize and cultivate that new relationship. 

Those who are adopted into God’s family are also given the Spirit of adoption whereby they not only recognize their newfound sonship but can exercise the privileges that go with it. Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15-16

There is a close relationship between adoption and regeneration. In a human family there are only two ways to become a member. By birth and by adoption. We become members of God’s family not by physical birth but by spiritual birth AND by adoption. We are born again and we are adopted. We get a double dose. Just for good measure.

“ I’m A Child of the King” by the Gaither Vocal Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL20ETnYnjw

Eternal Adoption

 ETERNAL ADOPTION

There are many wonderful truths related to adoption. One of those great aspects is this. God determined before time that He would choose you. You didn’t choose Him; He chose you! (John 15:16) That means it is eternal. What God has determined to do in time --- He has determined in eternity. Think about that for a second. God didn’t just see you walking down the street and decide to make you a member of His family. Oh no, He made that determination in time past, in eternity past.

All things that God has chosen to do in time is done --- because He has determined it in eternity.

Therefore, His choice of you to be a member of His family was not a willy, nilly kind of thing. It was part and parcel of the great eternal plan of God.

Why do I believe that?

Romans 8:28-30

Ephesians 1:4-6, 11

II Timothy 1:9-10

Why get so excited about eternal adoption? Because eternal means just that.

Eternity past.

Eternity present.

And, watch it now, eternity future!

I will ALWAYS be a member of God’s family!

I will never lose my rights and privileges.

I will never lose my inheritance.

I will always be a precious child of God!

Most importantly, God will ALWAYS be my Father!

“When Love Takes You In”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beZ5hF-qZDY

Proofs of Adoption

 PROOFS OF ADOPTION

Adoption is a blessed and wonderful subject and needs to be rediscovered and appreciated. To really grasp its meaning one must be somewhat familiar with the Scriptures that speak of it. Some of those passages are found in:

Romans 9:4

Romans 8:15, 23

Galatians 4:4-5

Ephesians 1:5

The root meaning of the word simply means “the placing of a son.” It is the transfer of one person from one family into the sphere of a different family. Adoption is the judicial act of God whereby He confers on us the status or standing of children. That is its real meaning. 

A question that concerns some people when discussing adoption is how we can know that we have been adopted into God’s family? What and where are the proofs?

There is Scriptural proof as seen in Galatians 3:26 and I Peter 1:3-6. It is for all who believe in Christ. 

There is further assurance seen in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:5. You can be assured of the fact that you have received the adoption because you know that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you. We have His testimony with our spirits that we are children of God. It is absolute proof that we have received the adoption.

A final proof is Paul’s argument seen in Romans 8:14 that says “as many as are led by the Spirit of God , these are the sons of God.” He doesn’t say that “as many who go to church once a month, they are the children of God.”  “As many who are actively acting as peacemakers or loving their enemies …  that these are the children of God.”  It is those who subject themselves to His leading and who rejoice in being led by Him. Those are the true sons of God! 

There is Scriptural proof.

There is proof of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.

There is proof in being led by the Spirit.

What proof is there in your life?

“Change My Heart, O God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSmG-_eJTU

Adoption with Benefits

 BENEFITS OF ADOPTION

Along with the reality of adoption comes certain benefits. You know you are adopted. Your life bears proof to that. So what are some of the benefits of adoption? When you get adopted inot God’s family several things happen.

Your name is changed --- “I will be your God and you shall be my people.” Leviticus 26:12.

And they were called Christians first at Antioch. See Acts 11:26. A Christian is one who belongs to God through Christ.

Your inheritance changes. You now have access to all the promises and provisions of God. What belongs to Him is now yours to have and enjoy forever more.  I Peter 1:3-7. Even the very hairs of our head are numbered.

Now that we have a new Father, we have new rules and parameters by which we live. We expose ourselves to heavenly chastisement. It is loving discipline and correction. But we will be disciplined.  Hebrews 12:6-12

A final benefit is the certainty and security of it all. Romans 8:38-39. Our destiny is secure. Our future is certain and it is all because of our new family. It is a guarantee. Take it to the bank. Mark it down. If God has taken us into His family, you are a child of God. You are an heir of God and because of that status, nothing or no one can ever rob you of that inheritance.

Thank God for His benefits of adoption! 

He’s a “Good, Good Father”!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ak0OoFBw3c