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Why God Adopted You as His Child, Part 2: The Response of Praise

Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling
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[In love] he predestined us for adoption to sonship 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 1:5-6

In yesterday's reflection, we considered the wonderful truth that God adopted you as his child because it gave him pleasure to do so. Today, we focus on yet another reason why God made you a part of his family.

Verse 5 says that God "predestined us for adoption...in accordance with his pleasure and will." Verse 6 adds, "to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Together, these verses explain that God adopted us: 1) for himself; 2) because it gave him pleasure; and 3) for the praise of his glorious grace. The new thought in verse 6 is that God adopted you as his child so that he might be praised for his grace.

This thought echoes throughout the opening eulogy of Ephesians. In verses 3-14, Paul paints a vast picture of God's work in the world. This picture is meant, not only to inform us, but also to inspire us to worship. Thus, it begins: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1:3). Verse 6 reveals that God adopted us "to the praise of his glorious grace." Verse 12 adds that God's purpose for us is that we "might be for the praise of his glory." Verse 14 concludes that God sealed us with the Holy Spirit "to the praise of his glory."

If God adopted you so that he might be praised, it would be true to say that you should praise God because of what he has done for you. But Paul is not issuing moral imperatives here. Rather, he is offering inspiration. He is helping you to see the wonder of God's love and grace in your life. Yes, you should praise God because it is the right thing to do. But the more you reflect on God's amazing grace, the more you allow the vision in Ephesians 1:3-14 to transform you, the more you will praise God as a free, grateful, passionate response to the God who adopted you as his child.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Let me encourage you to read Ephesians 1:3-6 several times, letting its truth sink into your heart. Then, take time to praise God in light of this revelation of his grace.

PRAYER: I praise you, O God, because you have blessed me in every way in Christ. I praise you because you chose me before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in your sight. I praise you because you predestined me to be your beloved child. I praise you because of your glorious grace, poured out on me through Jesus Christ, your beloved. Amen.

Images sourced via Creative Commons.

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