What?!? To become part of God’s family, I have to be adopted?
Yes. God’s Word is clear about who can claim to be a child of God in John 1:11-12.
“He (Jesus, God’s only true Son, the Light of the World) came to His own (the Jews), and those who were His own did not receive him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
Wait, God loves every person, right?
Yes. God loved so much He gave up His only Son to die. Why? So when I believe in
Jesus I can have eternal life. John 3:16
But, why was Jesus’ death necessary?
While God loves, He also is a Just Judge and sin has a consequence – separation from His
holiness, i.e. spiritual death. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23
God loves me while I am still a sinner – running away from Him. He sent His Son to die,
taking the punishment for me. Romans 5:8
What does God want me to do?
King Jesus summarizes the response He is looking for in Mark 1:14-15.
After John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe the gospel.”
That’s it? Just believe?
Yes and no. To repent means a change of direction, to turn around. So, I turn from running
away from God to running toward Him, believing He is and that He has sent Jesus to
purchase my pardon from sin.
That belief is more than a passing fancy or intellectual assent; it is a conviction that
God’s plan is true and that I can trust Him with my life. I decide to follow Jesus.
So, when I act on God’s promise and believe and receive Jesus, I become God’s adopted child?
Yes. You are a child of the King, adopted into His family, a co-heir with Christ Jesus,
and much more…
This is why CEF reaches out to young children, continually sharing God’s message of salvation wherever they are – in schools, in backyards, parks – so they can be adopted into God’s forever family through faith in Jesus, the Savior.
Only then can they know purpose and peace as He walks with them now, and will welcome them home in Heaven one day.
The Book of Romans is filled with wonderful promises, only for God’s adopted children.
Have you become convinced that you are a sinner who needs a savior? Have you turned to God and placed your trust in His Son, Jesus, and His sacrifice for you? If not, you can do that today.
Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sin.” John 8:24
If you have already trusted Jesus as the only provision for your sin, and made the decision to follow Him then these promises are for you.
Read these verses when you are feeling overwhelmed by circumstances:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:8
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
“All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:14-15
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or perils, or sword?
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
May God give you faith to hold on to His precious promises, dear adopted child of God, and to share His message of salvation with others – adults and children alike!
Contributed by Martha Clouse, CEFP Area Coordinator
