Ephesians 1:4-5 - No Standing In Line
No Standing In Line
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance to his pleasure and will. ..." (Ephesians 1:4-5, NIV)
One cold 35-degrees-below-zero morning, I was in the small Alaska town of North Pole. Yes, there really is a town with that name. I was there for a radio interview on the local Christian radio station serving that region.
Following the interview, I had occasion to visit Santa’s House, a local tourist attraction. Wandering through the many Christmas displays, I came upon a line of children anxiously waiting their turn to have their picture taken with “Santa” and to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
The wait was more than some of the impatient little ones could stand. Just then, I overheard one mother say to her child, “At least you don’t have to stand in line for the gift of salvation that Jesus gives.”
Far from having to stand in line waiting to tell God what we want, Ephesians 1:4 indicates that God has known from all eternity our need for salvation and determined to send His Son, Jesus.
Long before we were ever born, long before our parents knew us, God had us in mind. He determined we would be His children. Through our baptism into Christ, God adopts us into His Kingdom. No lines to stand in, no waiting our turn, our salvation is a free gift bestowed by a God who “because of His love” (v. 5), sent His own Son to die for us. In truth, it makes Him happy to make us His children!
What a great God we have! How wonderful to know He determined before we were born that we should be made His children! How good and comforting to know how it pleases Him to make us His children.
Thank You, Father, for Your gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. We praise and give You the glory for Your great graciousness! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Don Johnson (Makah), Executive Director
Your compassion and generosity can make an enormous difference for Native people. Your gift today can help us share the Gospel so that they may know God loves and cares for them.