Adopted into God's Family

         
          The birth of a child is a time of joy and celebration for the family and
     their friends, and although the circumstances are different, the adoption of
     a child is also a time for celebrating.

          Likewise, there is rejoicing in heaven every time an unregenerate per-
     son is born again, and then repents and trusts in Jesus Christ for sal-
     vation, leading to his adoption by God into His family.


                                         "Then Jesus told them this parable:
                                          'Suppose one of you has a hundred
                                          sheep and loses one of them.  Does
                                          he not leave the ninety-nine in the
                                          open country and go after the lost
                                          sheep until he finds it?
                                         "And when he finds it, he joyfully
                                          puts it on his shoulders and goes
                                          home.  Then he calls his friends and
                                          neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice
                                          with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
                                          I will tell you that in the same way
                                          there will be more rejoicing in heaven
                                          over one sinner who repents than over
                                          ninety-nine righteous persons who do
                                          not need to repent."
                                                                         Luke 15:3-7

          Everyone who trusts in Christ as Savior and Lord is adopted as God's child
     and enters into His family for eternity.  All this is according to the pleasure and
     will of God, who chose us in Jesus before the creation of the world for salvation,
     adopting us as His children through faith in Him.
    


                                         "For He chose us in Him before the creation of
                                          the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.
                                          In love He predestined us to be adopted as His
                                          sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with
                                          His pleasure and will -- to the praise of His
                                          glorious grace, which He has freely given us
                                          in the One He loves."
                                                                                    Ephesians 1:4-6


          We become co-heirs with Christ, as we inherit salvation, forgiveness, sancti-
     fication, justification, glorification, and eternal life.


                                         "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you
                                          a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit
                                          of sonship.  And by Him we cry. 'Abba, Father.'
                                          The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that
                                          we are God's children.  Now if we are children,
                                          then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs
                                          with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings
                                          in order that we may also share in His glory."
                                                                               Romans 8:15-17


          Jesus is not only our Savior, but also our brother.


                                         "For those God foreknew (or foreloved) He also
                                          predestined to be conformed to the likeness of
                                          His Son, that He might be the firstborn among
                                          many brothers."
                                                                              Romans 8:29


          The NIV commentary states:

                                  "Just as the firstborn son had certain privileges and rights
                                   in the Biblical world, so also Christ has certain rights in
                                   relation to all creation -- priority, preeminence and
                                   sovereignty."

           The term "firstborn" does not mean Jesus was the first created, but the high-
     est in rank.  He was not part of creation, but has authority over it.


                                             "He is the image of the invisible God, the
                                              firstborn over all creation.  For by Him
                                              all things were created:  things in heaven
                                              and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
                                              thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;
                                              all things were created by Him and for Him."
                                                                                   Colossians 1:15-16


                                                   **********


          Jesus is our Savior and brother, and also shares something else in common
     with us.  He was also adopted -- by Joseph.

          Joseph knew that by taking Mary as his wife, he was getting a "package deal" --
     a wife AND a son.  He named Jesus, as the angel commanded him, and raised Him
     as his own son.  He was to be the earthly father of the Savior of the world.


                                             (The angel told Joseph), " ... you are to give him
                                             the name Jesus, because he will save his people
                                             from their sins."
                                                                                  Matthew 1:21b


          Jesus came to save His people, and to adopt them into the family of God.