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+
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