A central theme in understanding the gospel is our adoption as sons and daughters of God. We, who were once far away, have been brought near to God and made part of His eternal family. It's so easy to forget how loved we are by God in Christ. It's so easy to look for love and acceptance elsewhere, even when God has already demonstrated that He loves us at great cost to Himself.
Galatians 4:6 says, "And because you are sons (and daughters), God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'" "Abba Father" beautifully sums up the believer's relationship with Christ. Father is the term of respect and reverence, while "Abba" is the term of endearment and intimacy like "daddy." God has promised this relationship to all who believe in His Son Jesus. Our adoption came at a great cost however. Jesus, while He was on the cross, experienced separation from His Father, as He was paying for our sins. Only because of Christ's sacrifice can we call God "Abba Father."
Our adoption in Christ changes our status before God: once we were seen as slaves to sin, alienated from the family of God, now we have all the privileges of sonship. God gave us the best robe, put shoes on our feet and His signet ring on our fingers. Then He threw a grand party to celebrate. Not only are we forgiven, but we are granted a place in God's family. In the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has shown His kindness and His grace to us so much more than we can imagine.
So why do we go seeking after love elsewhere: looking for love in all the wrong places? Many of us think we'll find that love in a relationship with sinful people like ourselves. We forget how deep the Father's love is for us. Our loving Father is always looking to lavish His kindness upon His beloved children. When you feel stressed, when you feel inadequate, when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm you, run into the arms of your loving Father.
No comments:
Post a Comment