Our advent series continues this Sunday with a fourth reason for which Jesus was born. He was born to adopt slaves as sons.
“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 his classic, Knowing God, J. I. Packer suggests that understanding this incredible blessing that is now ours because of Jesus’ incarnation and work of redemption is at the very heart of our new identity in Christ.
If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.
Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption… “Father” is the Christian name for God.
Jackson Randall will be preaching this beautiful truth on Sunday and Walt Harrah will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And ask God to help our understanding of our status as sons and heirs of God to sink in more deeply and become the controlling thought of our lives.
See you Sunday!
Advent Song Link of the Week:
Advent Song – New Scottish Hymns Band
The world lies helpless in the dark
And scarred by ceaseless war
But Advent’s flickering candles mark
The hope Christ shall restore
With rebel darkness he contends
His children to reclaim
And further will his beams extend
‘Til earth is filled with flame.
O come, O come, Our darkened hearts indwell!
O come, Emmanuel!
O come, Emmanuel!
When Christ returns in endless light
No darkness shall withstand
Forgive, O Lord, our faithless sight
And save us by your hand
O come, O come, Our darkened hearts indwell!
O come, Emmanuel!
O come, Emmanuel!
And tremble now, you tyrant gloom
Whose power is soon undone
Come down, O sanctifying groom
And let your kingdom come!
O come, O come, Our darkened hearts indwell!
O come, Emmanuel!
O come, Emmanuel!