Over on the Desiring God blog, there was a post about the command to obedience is really the call to faith. The post is well worth the read and I encourage you to read it, especially since I'll be using it as a springboard for the following thoughts below.
As I have read, studied and thought about God as Father and its' implications, I find myself looking at things through this perspective. The results of this change in perspective have been surprising in a good way. I see how my view about God and thinking of Him as Father and I His child, impacts everything - trials, blessings, sufferings, relationships, service, etc. After reading this article by Desiring God, I see how my view of God as Father affects obedience. Do I obey because I have to obey to appease God or find favor with Him or do I obey because I trust God, that's He good, that his commands are not burdensome (I John 5:3) and they are for my good (Psalm 119:7; Psalm 119:93)?
How I view God will affect how I see obedience and when I am called to obey God in situations. The call of obedience IS a call to faith in God. Oh Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!
Showing posts with label adopted by God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adopted by God. Show all posts
11.02.2010
More Thoughts on Being Adopted by God
I have not forgotten about going through the book, but I can't seem to find it so, until I do, there's more to think about and consider on the topic of adoption by God.
Here's some quotes by some men who have thoughts on the adoption of sinners by God:
If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all... JI Packer, Knowing God.
It is indeed a great thing to be right with God the Judge through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is a great thing to be forgiven of sin, to be free from the fear of God’s wrath. But it is possible to grasp these great realities and remain unaware of what is even greater: we are adopted and loved by God the Father. In Christ, God the Father justifies us, but he does not stop there: he adopts us as his sons. CJ Mahaney, For the Fame of God’s Name: Essays in Honor of John Piper.
Here's some quotes by some men who have thoughts on the adoption of sinners by God:
If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all... JI Packer, Knowing God.
It is indeed a great thing to be right with God the Judge through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is a great thing to be forgiven of sin, to be free from the fear of God’s wrath. But it is possible to grasp these great realities and remain unaware of what is even greater: we are adopted and loved by God the Father. In Christ, God the Father justifies us, but he does not stop there: he adopts us as his sons. CJ Mahaney, For the Fame of God’s Name: Essays in Honor of John Piper.
10.18.2010
Implications of Adoption
Between Sunday night catching up with the Hess' and this morning, I had a random thought that has stayed with me and has now fleshed out into something more coherent and full. This thought is not a great or profound thought, but it has encouraged me greatly as I ponder it and its implications.
God sees me as his adopted child; no more, no less.
And it made me think, is this the way I see myself? I have to say no. I can be caught up with titles I currently have (single) or don't have (wife, mother). I can be caught up with how productive or non-productive my life can be (I'm still paying off debt, my house is not the way I want it to be). And even now, seeing these things in print before me, these things could change or could not change. And if these things changed, would I still be looking at myself in these ways? More than likely yes.
But that's not how God sees me. No matter the current season, role, situation I am in now or in the future, God sees me as his adopted child and co-heir with Christ. And that is an encouraging thought, becauses as seasons change, roles emerge and situations come and go, I will never not stop being God's adopted child. That is a title that is imprinted on me with the blood of His Son Jesus who died on the cross to atone for my sins. It will never fade, never get old, and is the only way for me to enter heaven.
Does this sound familiar to you? Are you caught up with your own thoughts on your life or how God thinks of you, as an adopted child of His? Do you realize the implications of what being adopted by God means?
God sees me as his adopted child; no more, no less.
And it made me think, is this the way I see myself? I have to say no. I can be caught up with titles I currently have (single) or don't have (wife, mother). I can be caught up with how productive or non-productive my life can be (I'm still paying off debt, my house is not the way I want it to be). And even now, seeing these things in print before me, these things could change or could not change. And if these things changed, would I still be looking at myself in these ways? More than likely yes.
But that's not how God sees me. No matter the current season, role, situation I am in now or in the future, God sees me as his adopted child and co-heir with Christ. And that is an encouraging thought, becauses as seasons change, roles emerge and situations come and go, I will never not stop being God's adopted child. That is a title that is imprinted on me with the blood of His Son Jesus who died on the cross to atone for my sins. It will never fade, never get old, and is the only way for me to enter heaven.
Does this sound familiar to you? Are you caught up with your own thoughts on your life or how God thinks of you, as an adopted child of His? Do you realize the implications of what being adopted by God means?
9.28.2010
Adopted by God - Returning
Back in July, I started to write about the topic of adoption, specifically adoption by God made possible through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ for our sins. I haven't forgotten about the topic and what I had planned on doing has turned into something far more exciting. I recently finished reading the book "Children of the Living God" by Sinclair Ferguson and planned on giving a review of the book. However, due to amount of wonderful things in the book, I think I am planning on doing chapter-by-chapter review of the book.
Stay tuned...
I John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Stay tuned...
I John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
7.15.2010
Adopted by God - Music
For those following along, I wanted to share about how for the past year, I've been studying the topic of adoption, specifically those who have been adopted by God through Christ. Thankfully, and I think this confirms that studying it was not my original idea, there have been resources that have assisted in the study. Today, I want to share some of the music that has aided me in thinking about being adopted by God.
This may come as no shock to some readers, but the album Sons and Daughters produced by Sovereign Grace music has had alot of airplay this year for me. The first song I heard was "The Father's Love" played during our One Single Day event and incorporated in the video. Well, then I had to get the CD of course. All of the songs are great, but the songs getting the most replaying are the aforementioned "The Father's Love," "The Prodigal," and "You Never Change."
A couple of months ago, I came across a video animation that was made of the song "The Prodigal" which you can watch below.
I'm very grateful for the musicians and artists who have taken the time to write, produce and share these songs and video for the body of Christ. It is encouraging to put the CD in my car and listen to these songs as I am driving to work, the grocery store or just to get gas. These songs are wonderful reminders of truth that God has extended lavish grace and love on His children.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. I John 3:1
This may come as no shock to some readers, but the album Sons and Daughters produced by Sovereign Grace music has had alot of airplay this year for me. The first song I heard was "The Father's Love" played during our One Single Day event and incorporated in the video. Well, then I had to get the CD of course. All of the songs are great, but the songs getting the most replaying are the aforementioned "The Father's Love," "The Prodigal," and "You Never Change."
A couple of months ago, I came across a video animation that was made of the song "The Prodigal" which you can watch below.
I'm very grateful for the musicians and artists who have taken the time to write, produce and share these songs and video for the body of Christ. It is encouraging to put the CD in my car and listen to these songs as I am driving to work, the grocery store or just to get gas. These songs are wonderful reminders of truth that God has extended lavish grace and love on His children.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. I John 3:1
7.13.2010
Adopted by God
For the past year or so, I've been studying the topic of adoption, primarily how God has adopted those He has called to faith in Christ's death for the punishment of sins. The study started with the verse, I John 3:1,
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Over the past year I've been reading, listening and watching several materials that have strengthened my understanding of what it means to be adopted by God and how it has changed my view of God. In the next few posts, I'll be sharing the resources and my thoughts on them.
Stay tuned!
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Over the past year I've been reading, listening and watching several materials that have strengthened my understanding of what it means to be adopted by God and how it has changed my view of God. In the next few posts, I'll be sharing the resources and my thoughts on them.
Stay tuned!
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