Day #16: Tuesday, January 19th

Chosen to Belong

Scripture References: 1 John 3:1, Eph. 5:1, Gal. 3:26, 1 Peter 1:4, Col. 3:23-24

Devotional

See how much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1)

The Bible is the story of God building a family who will love Him, honor Him, and reign with Him forever.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure." (Eph. 5:1). 

God’s very nature is so relational that He chose to use terms such as Father, Son, and Spirit.  God desired a family so much that He devised a plan to create us, bring us into His family, and share with us all that He has.  This gives great pleasure to God.  The moment you came into the family you were given the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, intimate access, and the family inheritance. ​

You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26)

And as children of God we get to share in the family fortune.  Here on earth we are given “the riches of His grace” (Eph 1:7) along with kindness, glory, wisdom, power, and mercy.  The glorious inheritance that Paul spoke of includes:  getting to be with God forever, being completely changed into the image of Christ, freedom from all suffering, the rewards, and the sharing in Christ’s glory.  Paul refers to it as “an inheritance… that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4). 

This eternal inheritance is what we should be looking forward to and working for as we live our lives.  Paul writes, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23-24). You and I should be living in light of eternity.  

Heb. 2:11 CEV tells us, “Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.”  Let this amazing truth sink in.  You are a part of God’s family, and because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you.  Whenever you feel unimportant, unloved, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.  God chose you to belong in His family.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for welcoming me into your family.
You are my Father and I lean on Jesus and the Spirit today.
I choose to walk in all of the privileges of being your child.
I do this knowing that it gives you great pleasure.
I live my life today in light of eternity.
My audience is you alone.  It is my desire to please you.
When I am tempted to feel unloved or insecure I will remember,
That You chose me to be a part of this big loving family.