In Christianity, we rightly focus on Redemption, Justification through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the all encompassing meta-narrative, if you will, of the entire bible. The whole story from beginning to end is the story of the Lord redeeming His church by substituting His sinless life for our sinful one, and allowing God, the perfect judge, to apply forgiveness to our lives, covered by perfect blood.
This is the Good News, the fundamental heart of the gospel, and receiving grace and a substitution for your misdeeds in front of a holy God is a victory worth celebrating. But there is another component to the Good News that is discussed less, and is so beautiful.
My church happens to be steeped in fostering and adoption ministries. A relatively large percent of the congregation seems involved in it on some level, whether through actual fostering, providing support financially or physically, and certainly with prayers. The catalyst is knowing we are adopted into God’s family, and accepted as part of His bride, the church itself.
2 Corinthians 18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Grateful that long ago, a plan was set in place to not only rescue millions, but to make then actual sons and daughters.
John 1: 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
This means that in contemplating with wisdom both your worth and your unworthiness, you are compelled to face a very real truth, by no power of your own, you were literally made princes and princesses of a King. Not just any King, but the King of Kings.
Romans 11: 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[b] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
The natural world pointing to a spiritual truth, as the olive tree branches can indeed be grafted into a healthy tree, and grow long term fruit.
These references to adoption are important, because though you needed forgiveness, you were granted much more than that. Think with me of the debt against you from a stranger. Not only that but a dirty stranger, one who has been unkind, perhaps even criminal towards you. Stolen, and bragged about it. But he comes to you, finally, after a life of bad decisions has caught up with him, and has no choice to beg for mercy before the law condemns him.
You have been offended, hurt, damaged, and we all know the story, you decide to forgive. The man is overwhelmed with gratitude, saved from a fate of punishment and guilt. We understand this, of course, the forgiveness. But let’s take it a step further. What if after that, you handed him adoption papers?
Think about it, this person who acted against you his whole life, you just hand him the papers, and say, “I would like to love you, and welcome you to my family, if you will let me. This way, I can care for you, house you, give you hope in a future you did not know was possible, and see to it that this desire to act against me becomes so unnecessary that it can’t happen again. And of course, this means that with me, and my other children, you are an equal heir to all I have. I know this sounds crazy, but truly, what’s mine is yours. I will love you like I already love them. You are not only forgiven, but you are mine. Oh, and I almost forgot, I am a King, so, you are the son of a King. Welcome to my family…. son.”
A judge can forgive a sentence; a president can pardon guilt; but neither then takes the pardoned criminal, and welcomes them into their home, makes then a feast, and explains that the very house he has been welcomed in to is in fact his.
We are redeemed, and thank the Lord for grace, for I humbly admit I need it for my many faults. But occasionally, I will stop consider what I have been promised, what status I have been given, and what that makes me worth. We often in our discourse, levy mistrust and judgement against the bible about its fairness. About whether God is just. But, consider, is it just that I have been made an heir to the Kingdom of God? Is it justice that I am a prince? I’ve done nothing, literally nothing to earn these titles. How can you think on the value God has ordained for your soul, and not be overwhelmed. You, who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, are the sons and daughters of a King.
J.R. Cooper - Author 