Some notes from devotion time today:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3:1
“In Roman law it was a recognised practice for an adult who wanted an heir, and someone to carry on the family name, to adopt a male as his son – usually at age, rather than in infancy as is the common way today.”
This reminds me of the movie Ben Hur, where Charlton Heston’s titular character is adopted by Quintus Arrius. Hur becomes ‘young Arrius’, his own identity subsumed by that of his adoptive father.
Such an arrangement makes great sense if one presupposes that no one who would want to entrust their legacy, their good name and assets to something as indiscriminate as birth? Far wiser to choose your heir having observed their character and qualities.
In Christ, God adopts His children, not because of their qualities, but rather in spite of them. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We are given the full adoptive rights of first born sons, in spite of the fact that we have proven ourselves utterly unworthy of such privilege.
It is the love which is lavished upon us which is also transforming us into the image of Christ, the true firstborn.
What is Paul trying to stress in this statement?
Our unworthiness?
God’s generosity?
The new station we have in out existence?
The new responsibility which is ours to live as carriers of the name?
mgpcpastor's blog 