His Love Frees

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. 

(Ephesians 1: 5-6)

I attended an online conference recently about the plight of orphans. Experts say that most of these precious children in the world today still have family even when one or both parents die – grandparents, aunts and uncles, and the like – who can offer a loving home with the right support in local communities. At the same time, it was said that data shows an upsurge in birth parents dying and things can be very difficult if the secondary caregiver, grandparents, etc. as mentioned, also die. These children face many challenges but it was heartening to see the enthusiasm such experts have in finding solutions for what has been called a public health crisis. 

Adoption in this passage from Ephesians above has a different and unique outlook concerning the subject of family, involving omnipresent truths accessible to us because of the gospel. The truth in the Word shows that everyone, ultimately, is an orphan. We may or may not have earthly parents but our sin has cut us off from our heavenly parent, who is both primary and secondary caregiver, in fact love defined.

Yet His divine plan has always been to raise us as sons and daughters through Jesus, making the pathway clear by the blood that he shed for us. It is from and through the Beloved (what a wonderful description of the Lord!) that we find our eternal family home, free from the corrupt restrictions of earthly lives.

‘Lavish’ is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as ‘spending, giving, or using more than is necessary or reasonable; more than enough.’ I think of the fact that the grace – unmerited favour – given freely by God in adopting us is more than is necessary or reasonable, and more than enough! Surely this marvellous truth shows the embrace of our adopting Father, our heavenly Dad, is like a flood of kindness setting our hearts alight, our inner souls ablaze! We are adopted in love, thanks to the Holy Spirit! 

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