Adopted

This week in my Theology Class I was grading an essay assignment, titled “Image of Salvation”. The assignment consisted of the student completing a theological essay that will address the relationship of human sinfulness to an aspect of the doctrine of salvation. They would examine one of the biblical images of salvation (adoption, conversion, regeneration, redemption, reconciliation, justification, election, sanctification, or glorification) and define and describe the doctrine with its biblical, historical, and theological contours as well as discuss how this image of salvation relates to and addresses the problem of sin. Finally, the student will apply the implications of this doctrine to the Christian life and for the student’s chosen vocation.

As I was reading and grading the papers, I was captivated by a young lady’s essay titled. “Adopted.” I was so moved, tears coming immediately to my eyes as I read her testimony.  I texted and asked her if I could share it publicly. She gladly responded with a yes. You will find her writing below.

“At twelve years old, my mother put me in foster care. Up until then she had raised me in
hate and violence. Throughout my years in the system, I continued to live the life I had been
taught by her, to hate and destroy. For many reasons (of my own) I was never adopted but
instead emancipated at the age of seventeen. I was thrown out into the world to figure life out on my own. I remember feeling like I was unlovable and all throughout my twenties and early thirties that’s how I reacted to the world.

When I accepted Salvation, God used all of that for the good. (Genesis 50:20) When I
learned that He had adopted me and called me His own, my whole world changed. No one on earth had ever wanted me nor adopted me, but God did! Once I truly felt His unconditional love, I knew I was much more than what the world (I) said I was. As a Christian, I try as much as humanly possible to separate myself from my old ways (sin) because I know what my Father did for me. “Salvation is much more than forgiveness of sins and deliverance from condemnation; it is also a position of great blessing. Believers are children of God, adopted as His own.”

What a testimony. After reading I just sat back in my chair and worshiped the one who made it possible for that young lady from Texas (now age 40) to be adopted as a Child of the King.

What came to my mind after reading her testimony was a vison of the elderly Singing Evangelist Sam Rayburn who used to sing that song in conferences that I attended as a young pastor.  He would get to verse #3 and stop, and just weep over the realization of our Lord adopting us. Verse #3 is below.

“I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth,
    But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.”

·        Refrain:
I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King!”