“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his 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 1:4-6)
Here’s a weird thing to think about: If the story of God’s rescuing you from your sin and your future in hell were made into a movie, how would you imagine your character? Would you be the damsel in distress – or her obnoxious friend that gets rescued just because the hero came for the other girl?
You know what I mean. It’s a standard action movie plot. The hero risks everything to save the woman he loves, but that means he’s obligated to try to save whoever is with her at the time. He wouldn’t have made the effort just for them, but he can’t in good conscience leave them behind.
I think sometimes we think of ourselves as the lucky supporting character in the story of God’s great love for . . . other people. “Well, I guess I’d better save you, too. Just to be fair. Even though you’re annoying.”
That’s ugly wrong. As his children in Christ, God made the plan to adopt us – you – in love and “in accordance with his pleasure and will” – because it made him happy and he wanted us. God is no reluctant Father. Ever.
Think: How do you think of yourself as fitting into God’s story of love and grace? Why would we ever discount God’s love for ourselves or others?
Pray: If you are in Christ – a Christian – thank God that he made a plan to adopt you into his family because he loves you, because he wanted to, and because it made him happy.
Do: In whatever stories you read or watch this week, think about why the hero risks him- or herself to help others. Compare that to why God rescued us through Jesus.