Colossians 1:3 "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, you all will appear with Him in glory."

Dr. Elliott tackles the issue of "Adoption" by first stressing the point that "adoption", i.e., that is the adoption that is of God brings with it some essential elements and distinguishable marks. He writes, "we must focus our attention on things above, where Christ is, rather than on the things of this earth, ..." Let me try and summarize this at risk by simply stating that being adopted by God into His glorious kingdom comes with infinite benefits AND certain responsibilities which are observable upon examination from within and visible to others without. The author includes the magnificent source of this adoption of God, which is God's eternal and so undeserved love, which surely is one of, if not the, foundational motivation to live as one who is a son of the King of Kings.

Now, I love the doctrine, the real life truth of adoption found in Scripture and is a glorious truth of the Christian faith. And I am compelled to include one of my favorite or favorite passages of Scripture which describes what it is to be adopted by God. It is found in the Old Testament where so many of the great truths of Christianity is given in the telling of the lives of real people. This is found in 2 Samuel 9:

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2 Samuel 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

2 And [there was] of the house of Saul a servant whose name [was] Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, [Art] thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant [is he].

3 And the king said, [Is] there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, [which is] lame on [his] feet.

4 And the king said unto him, Where [is] he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he [is] in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

8 And he bowed himself, and said, What [is] thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I [am]?

9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in [the fruits], that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, [said the king], he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name [was] Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba [were] servants unto Mephibosheth.

13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

Are you as one who is as a dog; lame in both feet and disdained by the world and even by yourself and by birth a hater and enemy of God? Well, it is such that Christ was sent to gather to Himself and be given a new life, a new name and a new home by the King of Glory. I, by the incomprehensible love, grace and mercy of God have been adopted. Are you? How then shall we who have been lifted out of the pit in which we once lived show our gratitude to our Savior and Redeemer and, yes our Father in Heaven?

You can read this month's article by clicking here: Adoption: Real vs. Counterfeit

For reading at a more convenient time, just visit The Highway website and click on the "Article of the Month" logo. There you will find this month's article and all past articles of the month too.

In his service and grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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