Adopted into God's Family

Today's Daily Reading is from Stasi's new book The Ladder of Love, available now — order your copy today!

“He predestined us for adoption to sonship 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” (Ephesians 1:5–6). We have been chosen by God. We belong to Him. We have been adopted into God’s family. We have all the rights and privileges that come with that, including inheritance. We are His now and forever. We can believe Him when he says, “You are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

“For those whom [God] foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29 esv). Hebrews 2:11 states, “For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers” (esv).

Jesus is our Brother. We have a bond that is unbreakable. He understands our struggles, empathizes with our pain, and is always on our side. He has shared in our humanity and experienced everything that we have experienced, including temptation, fear, exhaustion, despair, and even disappointing people. Jesus is filled with compassion toward us. Like the closest of siblings, Jesus is always interested in hearing the outpouring of our words flowing from our hearts. He listens attentively and patiently even as we talk long into the night. No one knows your heart the way He does.

He is our Defender. He knows where and how we are weak. He is our support. He comprehends that we can’t save ourselves, and He has stepped in on our behalf. He has intervened for us in the mightiest of ways possible. His blood shed on the cross purchased the right for us to be forgiven and be restored to our God and paved the way for us to call our God “Father.” No one has ever been as “for you” as Jesus has. “Dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1).

Jesus is our Advocate. He intercedes for us day and night before the throne saying, “Don’t blame them, blame Me.” He speaks truth over our lives that we belong to God, we have been purchased with a price, we have been made new. This reality brings us such comfort! “Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high” (Job 16:19 nasb).

Jesus is also our Brother in arms. He stands shoulder to shoulder with us as we face the various battles that arise against us and within us. Not only is He our Great Captain, our valiant Champion, in whom we have ultimate trust and confidence, but He brings assurance to us by His steady and constant Presence. He fights with us and for us. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10). “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Want more? Order your copy of The Ladder of Love today