Friday, March 16, 2007

Read today’s scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Father, may Your Spirit open our hearts and minds to the reality of your
love and kingdom. Amen

In the Greco-Roman world, a naturally born son needed to be adopted by
his own father before he could be socially and legally recognized as his
father’s son and heir. The father would decide if and when he would
publicly adopt his son. If a father did not adopt his son legally, then
that son was excluded from the inheritance and was considered by others
as little more than a servant in his father’s house. (Obviously this had
tremendous advantages in motivating teenage children to obey their
parents!) On the day of adoption, the father would place a family ring
on his son’s finger for all to see. The ring would be a public testimony
bearing witness to the father’s acceptance of that man as his rightful son.
The Apostle Paul used this Roman custom to illustrate how we have been
adopted by our heavenly Father. Apart from Jesus Christ, we are not
worthy to have our Father’s name. However, “when the fullness of time
came” God acted through His Son Jesus Christ in a way that redeems us,
cleanses us and ultimately transforms us into His perfect character.
Because of this, God can and does adopt us as His rightful sons and
daughters. And for a public testimony of His acceptance of us, He gives
us not a ring, but His Holy Spirit, through whom we cry out, “Abba,
Father!” God want us to know that we belong to Him. And He wants the
world to know that He is proud of us though our faith in Jesus Christ.
And if we are God’s legal children, then we are heirs to His glorious
kingdom!

Father, thank you so much for adopting me as your beloved child and
legal heir. By your Spirit in me, may my life always reflect Your love,
truth and life. Amen

Steve Diehl, Forgiveness Ministries &
Walnut Creek Friends Church