Were You Ever Up for Adoption?

“By nature sparks fly upward, but the sinful souls of men fall downward.” – C.H. Spurgeon

I just recorded and posted a short video for Facebook and shared it on a few dozen Christian group pages. Basically, I was explaining a quote that I had recently read by R.C. Sproul, the great Reformed theologian who founded Ligonier Ministries and authored more than 100 books.

“Why doesn’t God eliminate all evil?” Dr. Sproul asked rhetorically. “Because if God were to eliminate all evil, you would be dead.”

OUCH… and yet, truer words were never spoken!

A few years ago, I attended a local prayer breakfast, and a very prominent Christian politician told a packed house that “We are all God’s children.” Hundreds of heads nodded in agreement, but mine wasn’t among them. Instead, my head shook rather violently side-to-side because the Bible very clearly states that before we come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, we are actually children of the devil (John 8:44 and I John 3:10). Yes, we are created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26); but that is as far as the “family resemblance” goes. It takes being born again spiritually to become a true child of God (John 3:3-7; I John 3:1-2).

So, now you know the answer to R.C. Sproul’s question. The reason why God allows sin to exist is because He doesn’t want to snuff us out before we have had a chance to repent of our sins and accept His offer of salvation through personal faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anyone who has sat around a campfire knows very well that sparks fly upward. And yes, anyone who has been around another person – or looked long and hard in the mirror – knows that the sinful souls of men fall downward.

One last analogy before we close. I have three natural born children: a daughter named Bethany and two sons, Matthew and Christopher. They were born to my wife Deanna, not adopted. So, when the Bible says that God has adopted us as His children, that means that we were not originally His. Got it?

Thank you, Father, for your love, patience, and forbearance… and most of all, for adopting me into your family!

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (BSB)

“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.” Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President