stephen R Harrison

“The One Who Promises Grace”

“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace 

and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—

not only to those who are of the law but also to those 

who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.”

-Romans 4:16

I was adopted. For the first three years of my life, I was fostered but would eventually be adopted. I am eternally grateful to my adoptive parents as they loved and provided for me physically but ministered to me spiritually. At one time, I was an orphan who needed a family. Because of my parents, I was wanted and gained a family on this earth…and in heaven! They introduced me to Jesus, and I am eternally grateful.

Because of God’s grace, we receive the promise of an eternal family, being adopted by the Father. Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” He delights in us as his rescued sons and daughters! Jesus is our Savior, but also our elder brother. We gain eternal brothers and sisters in Christ! What a truth! We have an eternal home and family through Jesus’ forgiveness and grace!

This promise came by faith and grace according to Romans 4:16. Sonship is guaranteed to all as Abraham’s offspring. If we have the faith of Abraham, we can have the Father of Abraham – the sovereign God! “He is father of us all” if we trust Christ as our Savior. Now, Gentiles can be children of Abraham through Christ. I’m familiar with a wonderful ministry that helps those waiting to be adopted find families. They work extremely hard to promote waiting kids to desirous families. Sadly, not all are adopted on this earth before turning 18. They hope someone will notice and choose them as their child. Because of Christ, our hope to be sons and daughters of God does not go unfulfilled. 

God has the power to give life to the dead, calling into being things that were not (Romans 4:17). Earthly hopes of adoption may go unanswered, but not eternal ones. Romans 4:18 says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’”. The prospect of adoption may seem impossible to an expecting child. It seemed impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have a child through whom the promise would be fulfilled (Romans 4:19). However, Abraham didn’t waiver from God’s promises. He was strengthened in faith, fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised (vv. 20-21). It was credited to him as righteousness (v. 22) and will be to us as well “if we believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (v. 24). 

As you prepare your hearts for Easter, may you be reminded of his extravagant grace that fulfills the promise made to Abraham to have a huge family! You may not grow up with a mom, dad, or even brothers or sisters on this side of heaven, but if you are found in Christ, you have millions of family members who have all been adopted by his promise of grace – the church! May you encounter the grace of Jesus during this season of Lent and be reminded of your forever family because “he was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25).

Questions: 

How was your experience with family growing up? 

How does adoption into an eternal family encourage you on this earth?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for fulfilling the promise to include all who call on you for salvation in your family. Through faith, I am chosen and adopted by the love and grace of the Father. May we have a fresh encounter with that grace daily and never take our spiritual family, the church, for granted. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Read: 

Romans 4:16-21

Action Step:

Allow the Spirit to bring two or three brothers or sisters in Christ to mind. Reach out to them today and pray for them. Encourage them with these verses. Remind them of the love of the Father and the grace of Jesus which makes adoption into God’s family possible.