Heirs to our Heavenly Father
June 17, 2006
“You are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.†— Galatians 4:7
I was so impressed by some folks I know who once considered having an orphan from another country come to live with their family, as they prayerfully faced their feelings about many issues. To bring the child into the US, they would have to adopt her, giving her the same rights and status as their own children. She would become one of their heirs. What a commitment…an awesome responsibility.Â
They were not unwilling to share what they had, but struggled with the long-term implications of what they were about to do. To care for a foster child is a compassionate, unselfish undertaking. But to choose to adopt is an even more serious responsibility. After all, becoming a real parent is much more demanding than simply being care-giver. The care-giver can quit anytime the going gets rough. A parent cannot.
Isn’t it amazing that in His eternal plan, our Father chose to adopt us as His sons and daughters in Christ? Giving us more than care and compassion, God has made us His heirs. The Bible says that Christ redeemed us “that we might receive the adoption as sons . . . . And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:5,7). What do we inherit? All the riches of God’s mercy, grace, and love, as well as His presence and His peace. We inherit a relationship with Him now and forever. He becomes a Father to us in every sense…and models fatherhood to us all. It also calls to us the ancient concept of Noblesse Oblige—the responsibility of nobility. Spiritually-speaking, we are nobility, since we are heirs to the King. We are then, obliged to meet the responsibilities inherent with privilege.
But the responsibilities of fatherhood are not limited by who we choose for our household, or those of our Earthly bloodline, but rather those that God places in our care as spiritual parents. We are to take responsibility for those “God adoptions†with the same seriousness. If we are truly Christians, we’re accountable to God for how well we care for those under our spiritual care. And here’s the news—anyone our Heavenly Father sends us are there for us to care for in the His love—extending them the care He has for us. This is really what it means to be the “Light of the World,†as Christ commands us. Accepting—and then, in turn, extending the Father’s care. A terrific Fathers’ Day thought!
What a privilege—and what a responsibility–to be adopted–a child by His choice—and an heir in the family of the King of the Universe!
All love in the Beloved,
Chip+
It’s not trivial to Him
June 1, 2006
“As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.†— Psalm 103:13
Several mothers of small children were sharing encouraging answers to prayer. One woman admitted that she felt selfish when she troubled God with her personal needs. “Compared with the huge global needs God faces,” she explained, “my circumstances must seem trivial to Him.” I’ve heard a number of truly earnest Christians say the same thing—they don’t think they should “bother†the Lord with the day to day. Although their hearts are true, they have their facts wrong. Consider what happened next in the setting we just read about.
Moments later, the woman who thought her needs were insignificant had to respond to her little son who had just pinched his fingers in a door and ran crying to his mother for comfort. She didn’t say, “How selfish of you to bother me with your throbbing fingers when I’m busy!” Of course not. Instead, she showed him great compassion and tenderness by dealing gently and supportively with him. How like our Heavenly Father she was!
As Psalm 103:13 reminds us: this is the response of love, both human and divine. In Isaiah 49, God said that even though a mother might not have compassion on her child, our Lord never forgets! (v.15). In a beautiful metaphor, God assured His people that He had inscribed them on the palms of His hands (v.16).Â
Such intimacy with God belongs to those who fear Him and rely on Him rather than on themselves, in all of life’s circumstances. As that child with throbbing fingers ran freely to his mother, so may we run to our Heavenly Father with our daily problems and injuries. They are, by no means, trivial to Him.
Remember, beloved, we were made for fellowship with almighty God, who never has to neglect others to respond to our concerns. He has limitless time and love for each of His children. No need is too trivial for Him—we can always count on His ear, heart and hand to be ours.
Grace and peace,
Chip+
