Pastor Sid's Journal

Adopted By God

I know that yesterday's sermon raises many questions, it does for me too. The subject of unconditional election, or being adopted by God and why God adopts some and not others, isn't an easy thing to wrap your mind around. Ultimately I don't have answers to many of the things of God. But how do we live in the here and now...we live in the belief that we are adopted by God and with the firm belief that he has called us to be a part of his plan in bringing together all the members of his belonging. We give thanks for God's grace in FAITH.

I think it's important to reiterate the paragraph from Jim Osterhouse's study on the subject of faith and why God adopts some and not others. He says:

“Things are not always as they seem. Think of the gate of heaven as having a wrought iron arch overhead. As you approach the gate you read the words “WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME” and you decide to walk through the gate. Once inside you turn and read the arch from heaven’s perspective: “CHOSEN FROM ALL ETERNITY.” Those who believe in Jesus realize that it is God who gives them faith and God who keeps them in the faith. They can take none of the credit. All the glory belongs to God.”

Talking about election can only be done when we're on the other side of the gate. The question that is then asked by some is how can we talk about it in a setting where some people may not be on the other side of the gate? i.e. church yesterday. For me it comes down to a question that I once recieved in an candidacy question as I prepared for ministry. The question was, "when you stand in front of a congregation, who do you see?" What they were wondering is whether or not I look out at sinners who I need to preach at or people chosen by God who I can "share" the gospel with. For me, without a doubt it is the latter. In fact, my default position with everyone I come in contact with is that they are a part of God's chosen and that God has priveledged me/us to be a part of their journey with God. I don't know who is not on the other side of the gate, nor do we as a people of God's grace, live our lives ever pretending that we do.

It doesn't answer the tough questions of God, but it does means that we live in grace and hope and not in judgement or apathy.

*NOTE - Next week I plan to blog about the name of the church. This could be a fun topic...stay tuned!