We are His

Have you ever gone to the animal shelter looking for a cat or dog. It’s such an emotional experience. Every cage you walk past there are the eyes- some hopeful , others sad or maybe even afraid because of past abuse. Finally you make your choice and you adopt your newest member to your family. They now belong to you. 

Here’s another wonderful truth - God chose you!. You belong to God, and that will never change.

The book of Ephesians defines our relationship with God in permanent terms. It says, first of all, that we have been adopted.  Eph. 1:5 says, “ His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.”

The citizens of Ephesus understood the significance of adoption, because it was common in their society. Adoption wasn't just a case of childless parents choosing to provide a home for a parentless child. 

Adoptions often occurred for business or political reasons. 

It wasn't at all uncommon for one grown man to adopt another to ensure that his wealth and power were passed on in the way that he intended it to be. This occurred when the Roman emperor Claudius adopted Nero, whom he wanted to be his successor.

Adoptions were irrevocable. 

In fact, a father could disown his birth son, but not his adopted son. It was a permanent relationship. So when Paul compared our life in God to adoption, he was saying, "You're part of the family now. Get comfortable. You're here to stay."

Another symbol of permanence that Paul uses is that of our freedom being purchased.  Eph.1:7  says, “He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son...

This is a marketplace term. 

It refers to buying back an item — or more specifically, a person — that would otherwise be lost, taken prisoner, or destroyed. The word means, literally, ransom.  It is used to describe the purchasing of freedom for a slave, a prisoner of war, or even one condemned to die. When the ransom is paid, the prisoner is set free. 

Another symbol of permanence is that the Holy Spirit is given as our guarantee.  Eph. 1:14 “The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised...”

Guarantee is a business term referring to pledge money paid up front to ensure full payment will be made later. It's a deposit.  A prospective buyer puts up earnest money on a piece of land to give the seller assurance that he intends to come back later and pay in full. 

Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit is that deposit, that guarantee.

You know the work that the Holy Spirit does in your life.  The conviction that you have about sin — that's the Holy Spirit's work.  The desire to live a holy life — that's the Holy Spirit's work.  That part of you that is deeper than a feeling and deeper than emotion and is drawing you into a relationship with God — that's the Holy Spirit's work. 

It is the Holy Spirit that drives you to seek a deeper relationship with God. 

God gave you the Holy Spirit as a deposit, as a pledge, to guarantee that the work he is beginning in your life will be seen to completion. 

As he said in Philippians 1:6

“I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

God speaks of his relationship to you in permanent, irrevocable terms. Adoption. Ransom. Guarantee. You belong to God, and that will never change. 

Make it a Thoughtful Thursday! God is good…