Thursday, January 29, 2026
For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. Ephesians 1:4-6
Chosen
The dictionary defines adoption as the action or fact of legally taking another's child and bringing it up as one's own. Adoption was common in Roman culture when Paul wrote Ephesians – a practice the church in Ephesus would have been familiar with and could relate to. According to Roman law, once you were adopted you were not only given the same name as the people who adopted you, but you were also given the same title, social standing, and legal standing as a biological child. When the adoption was complete, the adopted person’s past was completely wiped away – all previous history literally erased. Outstanding debts were cancelled, and they were given new rights as part of a new family.
Paul talks about an adoption greater than any we could imagine. How amazing is it that a servant or indebted person or a child from a poor background could be rescued and given a whole new life? Imagine all your past mistakes and debts, shameful decisions and mistakes all being wiped away in one moment. The adoption Paul talks about for followers of Christ does exactly that for us. We are chosen and redeemed as his adopted sons and daughters. We are immediately given an inheritance of eternal life as we become a part of God’s family. A beautiful exchange – our filth, debt, sin and disgrace for his grace, mercy, forgiveness, and a permanently secure place in his family – complete with status and inheritance as his children. Only the blood of Jesus, the greatest sacrifice, made this possible – which is how he reconciled us to himself and God. We are separated from God because of sin, but Jesus has made a way for us to live in peace, harmony, and wholeness with God.
For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him… From the beginning of time, it was God’s plan for us to be his adopted children. We were chosen, predestined for adoption - in him. Pastor Jim made this very powerful distinction in his sermon Sunday. So many people get so hung up on the word “predestined” that they miss the whole beautiful message of the blessings of our adoption as his children – and that must delight Satan. Without the belief of who we truly are in him there is no power behind what we do, no courage of our convictions in kingdom work in our personal lives or in the church. The truth is we are predestined – chosen – in him. When we become followers of Christ, making the decision to ask him to be Lord and Savior of our lives, confessing, repenting, and believing, we are in him. This is what Paul is talking about when he says predestined and chosen. He sent his son to give his life for all of us – for everyone who would believe. (John 3:16) And for everyone who chooses him – believes – they are his chosen sons and daughters, with a royal identity and inheritance. Past mistakes and debts, shameful decisions and mistakes all being wiped away in one moment in return for a new identity and life in him. Our promised inheritance and new status as his children is unchanging and eternal, and we can walk in a new life with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Adoption was always a part of God’s plan. He made a place for you and me from the very beginning. Our part is repentance and acceptance. We can’t have it both ways so we must give up our old ways. As adopted heirs there is a responsibility on our part to be holy and blameless in love before him – living lives that reflect his glory to everyone around us, learning to live and love like him in all we do and say. Represent – and tell the world what he has done for us.
How about you? Are you feeling like you would never qualify as an adoptive heir of the King of Kings? None of us do and that is the point - this adoption is a gift complete with blessings bestowed upon us as his children. There are no qualifiers – just acceptance and repentance.
