Adopted Children

 Eph 1:7
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Predestination basically says that God is sovereign, He is in control, knowing all of what will happen in the future, and therefore is able to predetermine what man can and will do beforehand. There are two main thoughts in regard to how God predestined the outcome of human behavior. Either man has no say in what will happen, and therefore their fate is sealed before they are even born, or because God is all knowing, He already knows the choices that man will make and therefore salvation is predestined based on the fact that God knows whether a person will choose to believe or not believe.  All of this can be confusing to a person who is seeking God and desires to live pleasing to Him. I don’t claim to know or have any insight into the mind of God, but I know that it is God’s  desire that all who are born in this world come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I am also convinced that God does not determine the choices we make. History is made by the choices made by man and the effect of these choices can change the future. It is God’s good pleasure that all be saved and not perish. God has given us the gift of choice, we are free moral agents to do good or to do evil. The scripture is full of verses that support this. “ And let him who is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17) It is not just a select few who are predestined to come, but whosoever means anyone, anybody, leaving no one out. The message is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Come to Jesus, He has the answer to all our needs. Jesus speaks, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” God desires that we all become adopted into the family of God, and not only be a child of His creation, but a child through Christ.” But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Roman 8:15). The joy of being part of the family of God, being adopted for His good pleasure. We are His children, He is our Father. Thank you, Jesus, for making this possible!

Saved By Grace

Oct 30th, 2025
Eph 2:8,9
 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:.. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

What do we need to be saved from? The word saved implies that we need help, or we need to be recused. Saved from a life-threatening situation. When someone is lost in the mountains, a rescue team is sent out to save them and bring them back safely. Spiritually, we are all lost. Every human being born into this world is born with a sin nature. No matter where we were born, or who our parents are, we all must come to the realization that we are sinners, with a bent to satisfy the sinful flesh. As civilized human beings, we are also created in the image of God and God has instilled within each one of us a conscience to do good. But sin is ever present, tempting us to put ourselves and our wants first. Therefore, we need to be saved from this sinful nature, because sin will destroy and will eventually lead to eternal death (hell). We cannot redeem ourselves. No matter how many good deeds we do, it cannot save us from the sin that we were born with. Jesus came to earth and did many good works, but His main purpose in coming was more than just setting a good example of how to live, but He came to save us from our sin and set us free from the bondage of sin. So by the grace of God, God the Father sent His Son to die and pay the debt for the sins of the world. It is grace, a gift that we receive by believing that the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, giving His life, can and will bring forgiveness of sin. Many believe that their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds and God will see all the good things they have done on earth and let them in through the gates of heaven. But the truth given to us in the Word of God is that there is only one way, and that is through the forgiveness of sin provided by Jesus Christ. Isaiah says, “All our righteousness are as filthy rags.” I have been to many memorial services, and the accolades of their good works are made known, and many truly were good and kind people, but salvation is not possible by good works lest any man should boast. A person who is saved through Christ will manifest good works. The Holy Spirit does a work in the believer, and the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested as they walk in the light of God. So good work is an outcome of our faith, and not the way to have eternal life after death. So faith in Christ is essential to salvation. His grace is sufficient to save us from all sin.