When I was growing up we knew a family that had adopted this precious, beautiful, little blonde headed girl. She was so special to them and they let her know it, both in actions and in words. They always told her that she was their chosen child and this never failed to bring a smile to her face and a definite sense of belonging. I can remember, as a child myself, how I wanted to be “chosen”. This amazing sentiment had made this already beautiful child appear even more special and set apart in a way that I was not and could not be because I had not been adopted.
As an adult remembering this family I think of the scriptures in Acts 7 :20-22
At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and his deeds. (ESV)
This family from my childhood had brought up this beautiful child as their own and instilled in her the fact that she was not only special, she was chosen, and given her the security she would need to be a healthy, strong adult.
As parents, this is our responsibility, to take the children that God has seen fit to bless us with and to fill them with the wonder and the comfort that comes from knowing that we are indeed beautiful, chosen children of the King. We must teach them the word of God! We must teach them to wield this sword in readiness to battle all of the elements of evil that will undoubtedly arise through the course of their lives. We have to educate them to recognize evil for what it is.
As parents, we are failing to instill this sense of belonging and security, along with the knowledge that our children need so that they also will grow up to be “ mighty in words and deeds”.
Let’s look at 1 Pet 2:9 -
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV)
Remembering how, as a child, I wanted to have that special feeling of being “chosen”, this scripture really gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling, if you will. This is the idea that I want my own children to grasp; that they are not even mine, I have been given them with the responsibility to raise them up in the way they should go, as they are truly God’s possession because He chose them. I had no reason to feel that jealousy because we have all been chosen, each and every one of us; this is our truth!
A child who has had an earthly adoption reaches an age where they can choose for themselves whether or not they want to stay with the family that chose them. They may choose to say thank you for everything you have given me so far, but I can take it from here on my own. How sad, but this is the decision so many of our young people are making about their spiritual adoption. Unfortunately, this is the example that we have given our children. Faith has been treated with a cynicism in our society, in our schools and all to often, even in our homes. We have got to find the courage to fight for our faith and teach our children to do that by example.
Eph1:3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (ESV)
We are predestined for adoption into Christ because God loves us that much. What an amazing thought! We know that we have been chosen for greatness for the glory of God; but now, as mature adults, we are faced with choices of our own. Will we choose God as our sovereign Father? Will we teach our children to know that they also are chosen and to be faithful in their walk. Will we, in this time of spiritual and religious conflict, proudly and faithfully, stand up and proclaim that, “ I am a chosen child of God !”?
Rev 17:14 - They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
- Barbie Law is currently a member of Cedar Springs church of Christ in Louisville, KY. Matthew Ashby serves that congregation as minister. The church's website ishttp://www.hecares.us/blog/
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