You are the focus of God’s pleasure

 ^“For God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption as 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 1:4-5)

Do you know who you are to God when you put your trust in Christ and because of what Jesus did for you? It’s amazing, jaw-dropping, eye-popping, wonder-filled good news.  You are:

Chosen. You’re hand-picked. Not rejected, but selected. You’re wanted by God… Pursued. Included. Accepted. Made a part of what He is doing. Never to be tossed aside or forgotten.

And when did this happen?  Before you ever did anything right or wrong. It’s not based on your behavior or strength or loveliness. You can’t work hard to achieve God’s choosing of you. You’ve not earned your status before him.

And what is his assessment of you?  You’re blameless and radiating godliness in his eyes. No mar. No spot. No blemishes. Absolved of wrong. Acquitted of guilt. Exonerated of all wrong doing. And clean. So clean and pure and whole.

You are loved. He’s committed to you and your good every day, every moment, all the time. His eyes are on you… not waiting to catch you slipping up, but eager to cheer you on and help you along. He’s intentionally working good for you no matter the cost to himself.

You have been anticipated and adopted into the family. He’s not surprised by anything. He knew you long ago and he will know you long from now. You are no mere servant. You’ve been made Abba’s child. Daddy’s girl. Father’s son. You’re no longer a waif, a straggler or a stranger.  You’re part of his brood. You have a new identity. You’re safe. Secure. Protected.

You’re the focus of his pleasure and intentional choice. It wasn’t a whim. It’s no farce. He planned this. And He pulled it off. You don’t have to worry about him pulling the rug out from under your feet.  He did this intentionally. You’ve been renamed, “God’s pleasure,” the apple of My eye,” “My delight.” He finds deep satisfaction in the fact that you’re home now.

Shout it out!  Relish this news of who you are and allow your heart to become unfeignedly thankful. Be genuinely awe-inspired of God. Become lost in the wonder of it all and laugh. Weep for joy as you adore him. Worship the Lord!

You see it’s grace. Magnificent kindness. Extraordinary favor. Unlimited benevolence.

And all this love and goodness is available in Jesus Christ.  He paid the price of your acceptance.  The cost was his blood. He went as far as anyone could go to assure the completeness of your rescue. There is no one stronger or more capable than he. The accomplishment and the worthiness is all his. And he gives it freely to you.

Abba’s Child

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:4-7)

In 1992, I received the most startling, life-changing news I had ever heard. I treasure it to this day, some 21 years later.  The news came during a parish renewal weekend which was focused on the fullness of or baptism in the Holy Spirit. The retreat was led by a group of lay persons from Florida who shared from the scriptures and from their lives as to how God had filled them with the Holy Spirit and given them life and power to be Christ’s witnesses in the world.  When it came time for prayer, I raised my hand, signalling my desire for the Holy Spirit to fill me with his fullness — no more conditions or stipulations from my side — I simply wanted more of him so that my life might be available for whatever purpose he had for me.  God’s power came upon me and within me like a heavy electric blanket of  warmth.

The next day I went for a private prayer session with a team from the church. I received powerful cleansing and inner healing — having previously been a follower of the Grateful Dead and an active drug user — I was keenly aware of my personal sin. When I met Jesus 3 years before at a point of personal crisis, I fled to his salvation.  But I could never shake the dirtiness or unworthiness that I felt.  However, it was on this day, at the end of our time of prayer that God delivered me from deep-seated fear and shame.  It was also when he spoke to my heart for the first time (or perhaps it was the first time I actually heard him).  And what was it that he shared with me?  What good news did he tell me? He said, “You are a child of the light, a son of the Father.”

My heart burst with joy!  No longer an outcast! No longer a hanger-on.  No longer a mere servant! No longer a slave!  No, I was an adopted child of the Lord Most High by virtue of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And the Holy Spirit was witnessing to my heart the truth of God to me.  As Galatians 4 says, “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Such was the experience I had.  I could earnestly and truly cry out “My Father!  My Abba!  My Heavenly Daddy!”  and actually mean it and know that it was true about me and about Him.

This revelation of my adoption as his child changed everything for me.  It changed the way I viewed myself, especially when I sinned.  Now I could come to him and ask his forgiveness knowing that I already belonged to him — there was no more fear that I would cross some line or go too far and be put out of his presence.  It changed the way I viewed God — no longer stern and far off, but intimate and ever-ready to engage with me. Now I knew I could come to him and I would always be heard — he would never be “too busy” for me.  Now I knew that he delighted to pour out his love and blessings upon me not because I had earned them, but simply because he loves me.  Now I no longer had to try to measure up or prove myself to him, I already had his approval.  Now I could pray honestly and with great joy, “Abba, I belong to You!”