I am Adopted and Accepted!
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I am Adopted and Accepted
I am Adopted and Accepted
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
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Accepted - Illustration we all want this and desire to be a part of the family.
We have been brought into the family
The family is God
We can not loose our inheritance
We are in the family
We share in God’s Riches
When Jesus Christ wrote His last will and testament for His church, He made it possible for us to share His spiritual riches.
Instead of spending it all, Jesus Christ paid it all.
His death on the cross and His resurrection make possible our salvation. He wrote us into His will, then He died so the will would be in force.
Then He arose again that He might become the heavenly Advocate (lawyer) to make sure the terms of the will were correctly followed! In this long sentence, Paul named just a few of the blessings that make up our spiritual wealth.
I Blessings from God (1:4–6)
I Blessings from God (1:4–6)
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
a) He has chosen us (v. 4).
a) He has chosen us (v. 4).
This is the marvelous doctrine of election, a doctrine that has confused some and confounded others.
A seminary professor once said to me, “Try to explain election and you may lose your mind. But try to explain it away and you may lose your soul!”
That salvation begins with God, and not with man, all Christians will agree. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” ().
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
john 15.`1
Left to his own ways, does not seek God ();
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
romans
God in His love seeks the sinner ().
God in His love seeks the sinner ().
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
left to his own ways, does not seek God (); God in His love seeks the sinner (). Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. He chose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: to be holy and without blame. In the Bible, election is always unto something. It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will? No, he responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Both are taught in the Bible (). Both are true, and both are essential. You will note that all three persons in the Godhead are involved in our salvation (see also ). As far as God the Father is concerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. But that alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were saved when He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, you were saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Savior. What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continue for all eternity!
Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will?
And He chose us for a purpose: to be holy and without blame. In the Bible, election is always unto something. It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will? No, he responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Both are taught in the Bible (). Both are true, and both are essential. You will note that all three persons in the Godhead are involved in our salvation (see also ). As far as God the Father is concerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. But that alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were saved when He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, you were saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Savior. What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continue for all eternity!
No, he responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond.
Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. He chose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: to be holy and without blame. In the Bible, election is always unto something. It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will? No, he responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Both are taught in the Bible (). Both are true, and both are essential. You will note that all three persons in the Godhead are involved in our salvation (see also ). As far as God the Father is concerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. But that alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were saved when He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, you were saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Savior. What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continue for all eternity!
The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life.
Both are taught in the Bible ().
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 pete
Both are true, and both are essential.
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Just Because God Is Sovereign Does Not Mean Man Is Free from Responsibility
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left to his own ways, does not seek God (); God in His love seeks the sinner (). Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. He chose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: to be holy and without blame. In the Bible, election is always unto something. It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will? No, he responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Both are taught in the Bible (). Both are true, and both are essential. You will note that all three persons in the Godhead are involved in our salvation (see also ). As far as God the Father is concerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. But that alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were saved when He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, you were saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Savior. What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continue for all eternity!
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
For example, as expresses, the fact that we can do nothing good without Christ does not mean we are called to do nothing. Christ gives us power to act, but we must still choose to live in that power and act.
Christ gives us power to act, but we must still choose to live in that power and act.
Jesus had to die on the cross for us, but he still tells us to take up our cross daily to deny ourselves ().
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
This is an active command, requiring a choice of the will and action from the body.
We won’t be able to do it if we are not relying on Christ, but we are called to “do” these things with Christ nonetheless.
His power makes possible our right choices and actions, but we are still responsible to make these right choices and actions.
This is an active command, requiring a choice of the will and action from the body. We won’t be able to do it if we are not relying on Christ, but we are called to “do” these things with Christ nonetheless. His power makes possible our right choices and actions, but we are still responsible to make these right choices and actions. His power and sovereignty are the reason we have no excuse for not doing good; the fact that he is the only sovereign power able to cause us to do good is not an excuse for our personal failures.
His power and sovereignty are the reason we have no excuse for not doing good; the fact that he is the only sovereign power able to cause us to do good is not an excuse for our personal failures.
If “free will” means that God gives humans the opportunity to make choices that genuinely affect their destiny, then yes, human beings do have a free will.
The world’s current sinful state is directly linked to choices made by Adam and Eve. God created mankind in His own image, and that included the ability to choose.
However, free will does not mean that mankind can do anything he pleases. Our choices are limited to what is in keeping with our nature.
For example, a man may choose to walk across a bridge or not to walk across it; what he may not choose is to fly over the bridge—his nature prevents him from flying.
In a similar way, a man cannot choose to make himself righteous—his (sin) nature prevents him from canceling his guilt (). So, free will is limited by nature.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This limitation does not mitigate our accountability. The Bible is clear that we not only have the ability to choose, we also have the responsibility to choose wisely.
In the Old Testament, God chose a nation (Israel), but individuals within that nation still bore an obligation to choose obedience to God. And individuals outside of Israel were able to choose to believe and follow God as well (e.g., Ruth and Rahab).
In the New Testament, sinners are commanded over and over to “repent” and “believe” (; ; ; ). Every call to repent is a call to choose.
The command to believe assumes that the hearer can choose to obey the command.
Jesus identified the problem of some unbelievers when He told them, “You refuse to come to me to have life” (). Clearly, they could have come if they wanted to; their problem was they chose not to. “A man reaps what he sows” (), and those who are outside of salvation are “without excuse” ().
But how can man, limited by a sin nature, ever choose what is good?
It is only through the grace and power of God that free will truly becomes “free” in the sense of being able to choose salvation ().
It is the Holy Spirit who works in and through a person’s will to regenerate that person () and give him/her a new nature “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (). Salvation is God’s work. At the same time, our motives, desires, and actions are voluntary, and we are rightly held responsible for them.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Salvation is God’s work. At the same time, our motives, desires, and actions are voluntary, and we are rightly held responsible for them.
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Salvation is God’s work. At the same time, our motives, desires, and actions are voluntary, and we are rightly held responsible for them.
Salvation is God’s work. At the same time, our motives, desires, and actions are voluntary, and we are rightly held responsible for them.
b. He has adopted us (v. 5).
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Here we meet that misunderstood word predestination.
This word, as it is used in the Bible, refers primarily to what God does for saved people.
Nowhere in the Bible are we taught that people are predestined to hell, because this word refers only to God’s people.
The word simply means “to ordain beforehand, to predetermine.”
Election seems to refer to people, while predestination refers to purposes.
Election seems to refer to people, while predestination refers to purposes.
The events connected with the crucifixion of Christ were predestined ().
God has predestined our adoption () and our conformity to Christ (), as well as our future inheritance ().
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Adoption has a dual meaning, both present and future. You do not get into God’s family by adoption. You get into His family by regeneration, the new birth (; ).
Adoption is the act of God by which He gives His “born ones” an adult standing in the family.
Adoption has a dual meaning, both present and future. You do not get into God’s family by adoption. You get into His family by regeneration, the new birth (; ). Adoption is the act of God by which He gives His “born ones” an adult standing in the family. Why does He do this? So that we might immediately begin to claim our inheritance and enjoy our spiritual wealth! A baby cannot legally use this inheritance (), but an adult son can—and should! This means that you do not have to wait until you are an old saint before you can claim your riches in Christ. The future aspect of adoption is found in , the glorified body we will have when Jesus returns. We already have our adult standing before God, but the world cannot see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see! He has accepted us (v. 6). We cannot make ourselves acceptable to God, but He, by His grace, makes us accepted in Christ. This is our eternal position that will never change. Some translations read “which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (NASB). Or, “He has be-graced [literal translation] us in the Beloved.” The idea is the same. Because of God’s grace in Christ, we are accepted before Him. Paul wrote Philemon to encourage him to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, using the same argument. “If he owes you anything, I will pay it. Receive him as you would receive me” (, paraphrased). The parallel is easy to see. Blessings from
Why does He do this? So that we might immediately begin to claim our inheritance and enjoy our spiritual wealth!
A baby cannot legally use this inheritance (), but an adult son can—and should!
gal 4.1-7This means that you do not have to wait until you are an old saint before you can claim your riches in Christ. The future aspect of adoption is found in , the glorified body we will have when Jesus returns. We already have our adult standing before God, but the world cannot see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see! He has accepted us (v. 6). We cannot make ourselves acceptable to God, but He, by His grace, makes us accepted in Christ. This is our eternal position that will never change. Some translations read “which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (NASB). Or, “He has be-graced [literal translation] us in the Beloved.” The idea is the same. Because of God’s grace in Christ, we are accepted before Him. Paul wrote Philemon to encourage him to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, using the same argument. “If he owes you anything, I will pay it. Receive him as you would receive me” (, paraphrased). The parallel is easy to see. Blessings from
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
We already have our adult standing before God, but the world cannot see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see!
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
We already have our adult standing before God, but the world cannot see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see!
c) He has accepted us (v. 6).
Joe had to take simulation test - he had to pass it
Sarah - passing CPA
Trisha - certification
Colleen - pass lab reports
priase God we are accepted as we are ...
We cannot make ourselves acceptable to God, but He, by His grace, makes us accepted in Christ. This is our eternal position that will never change. Some translations read “which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (NASB). Or, “He has be-graced [literal translation] us in the Beloved.”
The idea is the same. Because of God’s grace in Christ, we are accepted before Him. Paul wrote Philemon to encourage him to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, using the same argument. “If he owes you anything, I will pay it. Receive him as you would receive me” (, paraphrased). The parallel is easy to see. Blessings from
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit had worked in their lives, and they knew it.
The Holy Spirit had worked in their lives, and they knew it. He has sealed us (v. 13). The entire process of salvation is given in this verse, so we had better examine it carefully. It tells how the sinner becomes a saint. First, he hears the gospel of salvation. This is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (.). The Ephesians were Gentiles, and the gospel came “to the Jew first” (). But Paul, a Jew, brought the gospel to the Gentiles as he shared the Word of God with them.
He has sealed us (v. 13). The entire process of salvation is given in this verse, so we had better examine it carefully. It tells how the sinner becomes a saint.
First, he hears the gospel of salvation. This is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (.).
We move now from eternity past () and history past (), to the immediate experience of the Ephesian Christians. The Holy Spirit had worked in their lives, and they knew it. He has sealed us (v. 13). The entire process of salvation is given in this verse, so we had better examine it carefully. It tells how the sinner becomes a saint. First, he hears the gospel of salvation. This is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (.). The Ephesians were Gentiles, and the gospel came “to the Jew first” (). But Paul, a Jew, brought the gospel to the Gentiles as he shared the Word of God with them.
The Ephesians “heard the gospel” and discovered it was for them—“your salvation” ().
Even though the Bible teaches election, it also announces, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” ().
A soul winner does not discuss election he simply announces the truth of the gospel and invites men to trust Christ, and the Holy Spirit does the rest.
D. L. Moody used to pray, “Lord, save the elect—and then elect some more!”
The same God who ordains the end, the salvation of souls, also ordains the means to the end, the preaching of the gospel in the power of the Spirit.
Having heard the Word, the Ephesians believed, and it is this faith that brought salvation ().
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
romans 10.13-1
This pattern follows what Paul wrote in , so read that passage carefully. It is God’s plan for evangelism.
This pattern follows what Paul wrote in , so read that passage carefully. It is God’s plan for evangelism. When the Ephesians believed, they were “sealed with the Spirit.” “After that ye believed” should read “when ye believed.” You receive the Spirit immediately on trusting Christ. This is not an experience subsequent to conversion. (Read .) What is the significance of this sealing of the Holy Spirit? For one thing, it speaks of a finished transaction. Even today, when important legal documents are processed, they are stamped with the official seal to signify the completion of the transaction. This sealing also implies ownership: God has put his seal on us because He has purchased us to be His own (). It also means security and protection. The Roman seal on the tomb of Jesus carried this meaning (). So, the believer belongs to God, and is safe and protected because he is a part of a finished transaction. According to , the Holy Spirit abides with the believer forever. It is possible for us to grieve the Spirit and thereby lose the blessings of His ministry (). But He doesn’t leave us. Another use for the seal is as a mark of authenticity. Just as a signature on a letter attests to the genuineness of the document, so the presence of the Spirit proves the believer is genuine. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (). It is not simply our lip profession, our religious activity, or our good works, but the witness of the Spirit that makes our profession authentic. He has given us an earnest (v. 14). Earnest is a fascinating word! In Paul’s day, it meant “the down payment to guarantee the final purchase of some commodity or piece of property.” Even today you will hear a real estate agent talk about earnest money. The Holy Spirit is God’s first installment to guarantee to His children that He will finish His work and eventually bring them to glory. The “redemption of the purchased possession” refers to the redemption of the body at the return of Christ (; ). “Redemption” is experienced in three stages: • We have been redeemed through faith…
When the Ephesians believed, they were “sealed with the Spirit.” “After that ye believed” should read “when ye believed.” You receive the Spirit immediately on trusting Christ. This is not an experience subsequent to conversion. (Read .)
What is the significance of this sealing of the Holy Spirit? For one thing, it speaks of a finished transaction.
Even today, when important legal documents are processed, they are stamped with the official seal to signify the completion of the transaction.
This sealing also implies ownership: God has put his seal on us because He has purchased us to be His own (). It also means security and protection. The Roman seal on the tomb of Jesus carried this meaning ().
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
So, the believer belongs to God, and is safe and protected because he is a part of a finished transaction. According to , the Holy Spirit abides with the believer forever.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
“Redemption” is experienced in three stages: • We have been redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ (). • We are being redeemed as the Spirit works in our lives to make us more like Christ (). • We shall be redeemed when Christ returns and we become like Him.
But the word translated “earnest” also means “engagement ring.”
In Greece today you would find this word being used that way. But, after all, isn’t an engagement ring an assurance—a guarantee—that the promises made will be kept? Our relationship to God through Christ is not simply a commercial one, but also a personal experience of love. He is the Bridegroom and His church is the bride. We know that He will come and claim His bride because He has given us His promise and His Spirit as the “engagement ring.” What greater assurance could we want?
So, the believer belongs to God, and is safe and protected because he is a part of a finished transaction. According to , the Holy Spirit abides with the believer forever. It is possible for us to grieve the Spirit and thereby lose the blessings of His ministry (). But He doesn’t leave us. Another use for the seal is as a mark of authenticity. Just as a signature on a letter attests to the genuineness of the document, so the presence of the Spirit proves the believer is genuine. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (). It is not simply our lip profession, our religious activity, or our good works, but the witness of the Spirit that makes our profession authentic. He has given us an earnest (v. 14). Earnest is a fascinating word! In Paul’s day, it meant “the down payment to guarantee the final purchase of some commodity or piece of property.” Even today you will hear a real estate agent talk about earnest money. The Holy Spirit is God’s first installment to guarantee to His children that He will finish His work and eventually bring them to glory. The “redemption of the purchased possession” refers to the redemption of the body at the return of Christ (; ). “Redemption” is experienced in three stages: • We have been redeemed through faith…