Read: Ephesians 1:3-14
Watch: https://bibleproject.com/videos/ezekiel-1-33/
Today, September 16, marks the 34th anniversary of the death of my older brother, Derek. He, his wife Leslie, and her father Claude died in a small engine plane crash. The event rocked my world, and I will never forget that phone call at 4:00 in the morning and the grief that followed. At the time, Derek was only 31, and I was 28.
I begin with this not only to remember the short life of my brother, whose life goal was to be a pastor, but to shine a light on the themes of belonging and family.
The letter to the church in Ephesus tells us, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5a). In other words, in Christ, we are adopted into God’s family. Jesus said, “I will not abandon you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18).
Stop and think about that for a minute. Due to sin in the garden (and our own rebellion), we were separated from God, left outside of a loving relationship with Him. Yet, like the beautiful imagery in Ezekiel 16, God found us as a helpless newborn, still covered in blood, fluid and filth. He picked us up, washed us off, clothed us, and gave us a new name—His Name!
Why?
Because He loves you. This is what He wanted to do. He chose you, and He takes pleasure in you.
You are no longer alone. You are no longer an orphan. You are chosen, washed by the Blood of the Lamb, and clothed in righteousness! You have a new name, a new heart, and a new purpose!
Can you see yourself in this light?
Can you look at another follower of Jesus and see them in that same light?
As C.S. Lewis said, you have never met a mere mortal. Everyone you meet is being transformed into either “immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” The paths we choose either lead us to light or to darkness. “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
Dallas Willard once said, “The main thing God gets out of your life is not the achievements you accomplish. It’s the person you become.”
Who are you becoming?
Are you walking in the light?
Are the choices you make ones that transform you into His splendor, or do they keep you living as an orphan?
Are you treating others around you as immortal beings who carry the Image of Christ?
Pray: “Father, thank you for adopting me! Help me to walk in the light as your adopted child! Help me to see myself and others through your eyes of love!”
Discussion Questions:
Answer the questions above with another person or group.