FWD: Morning Manna (Mar. 7); BP: Eph. 1:3-14; RBTTY: Mk. 10:32-52; Dt.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 15:48:58 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Mar. 7); BP: Eph. 1:3-14; RBTTY: Mk. 10:32-52; Dt.
 

March 7                                                                                                        “Accepted in the Beloved”

 

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He has made us accepted in the Beloved.”

                                                                                                                                           Ephesians 1:5-6

     As the song says, “And when He looks at me He sees not what I used to be, but He sees Jesus.”

     Acceptable.  Made right.  Made presentable.

     These are but a few ways to interpret the Greek word “charitoo” used for “accepted” in today’s Manna.  And, when we realize it also means “to grace, imbue with special honor, highly favored, etc.,” a whole new world of meaning is opened to us.

 

     Now, the Calvinist takes the first part “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself” to mean that God chooses AHEAD OF TIME (i.e., before creation) who will be adopted and who won’t.  The adoptee has no choice in the matter; he’s simply chosen or he’s not.

 

     However, the better interpretation is reading it that God “predetermined before the foundation of the world” (v.4) that the only way we could become one of His children is by “adoption,” which can only occur when we’re  Blood-washed, Blood-bought and born again through faith “in Christ.”  That way we don’t have to constantly be trying to “make it up” to God or earn His love through good works, sacrificial acts, benevolent deeds, etc.; instead, by trusting in Christ—not ourselves—we become recipients of His grace (Eph. 2:8-9).  Hallelujah!!

 

     Another way to picture it is this:

     A benevolent, extremely wealthy gentleman, who lives in a spacious mansion on a high hill, walks into an orphanage and says, “You know, I love every one of these children here and want to make them my own.  I’ll provide for their every need and love them as if they were born to me.  I’d like to adopt them all.”

 

     Shocked, the orphanage’s owner says, “Well, that’s hard to believe, but we know you’re a man of your word and we’ll prepare the legal documents.”  The day finally comes and several large limousines show up to transport the children to their new home.  However, to his surprise and chagrin, some of the children began kicking and screaming, “No, I don’t want to go!  I don’t want to live with Him.  If you make me go, I’ll run away every night!”

 

     The loving man, saddened by their response, could force them to come with him.  And, maybe over time they’d finally quit resisting him; however, he will not force himself upon them and only adopts those who choose to willingly come with him.

 

     Thus, in their case (and in ours with God), “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Mt. 22:14).  Only those who accept the invitation are “adopted and accepted” (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).  And, oh how wonderful it is to know, as someone said, “The One Who knows us best loves us most.”  Glory!!