Joining the Ultimate Royal Family

What would you think if a royal family wanted to adopt you? I'm sure most of us would be flattered and some might even accept that offer. We could give up our jobs and live in luxury. No more mowing lawns or making dinner for us since some servants would do all that.

What many folks shamefully reject is the magnanimous offer of the King of Kings to adopt them into his family. Paul explains this benefit of surrendering one's life to Christ in Romans 8:13-15 (BBE). "For if you go in the way of the flesh, death will come on you; but if by the Spirit you put to death the works of the body, you will have life. And all those who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not get the spirit of servants again to put you in fear, but the spirit of sons was given to you, by which we say, Abba, Father."

Though our spirits are adopted at this time, we'll also have new bodies to live in when Christ returns. Romans 8:23 (BBE) explains, "And not only so, but we who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we have sorrow in our minds, waiting for the time when we will take our place as sons, that is, the salvation of our bodies."

We also read in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (BBE) that, "See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret: we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed. In a second, in the shutting of an eye, at the sound of the last horn: for at that sound the dead will come again, free for ever from the power of death, and we will be changed. For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life."

But for now, we have access to all the spiritual blessings of God through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:19 (BBE) says, "So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,"

We also can do what the Levites in Israel could never do, except for the chief priest once a year. Because we're Christ's children, we may enter his throne room through prayer. Hebrews 10:22 (BBE) invites us, "Let us go in with true hearts, in certain faith, having our hearts made free from the sense of sin and our bodies washed with clean water:"

Isn't this, along with the peace of mind and rest promised us, worth surrendering our wills to the Master? I'll point this out in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Through Adam, we all have offended the creator of the universe. But through Christ, we gain his pardon. Doesn't it make sense therefor to give up our own foolish ways to follow him?

On Saturday, I'll post about a song which was used on a reality police show.

Saturday Song: Cher, "Half breed"

I certainly can identify with Cher's song, even though my ancestors were all Europeans. Being partially sighted, I don't fit in with the fully-sighted or blind communities. People with good vision are confused that I can see but I'm classed by the government as legally blind. Some blind people hate us partially-sighted folks because we can see a bit and can't relate to total blindness. That's what I've been told by certain friends.

Listen to Cher's poignant song here:

This sounds strange but we Christians are half breeds. We are in fact royal children of Christ. Look at what Romans 8:15 (BBE) says. "For you did not get the spirit of servants again to put you in fear, but the spirit of sons was given to you, by which we say, Abba, Father."

As adopted children of the King of Kings, we must behave in a way that won't make him ashamed of us. Look at what 1 Peter 2:11(BBE)  says. "My loved ones, I make this request with all my heart, that, as those for whom this world is a strange country, you will keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh which make war against the soul;"

We also are citizens of Christ's kingdom. Ephesians 2:19 (BBE) clearly states, "So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God..."

Jesus knew that we would be left in this world. He prayed in John 17:15 (BBE), "My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep them from the Evil One."

What a wonderful privilege we have to be adopted and cared for by the greatest king in the universe. And what a pity that our unsaved friends refuse such a magnanimous offer.

On Monday, I'll be posting about The Lord's take on wages and what our attitude should be about them.