This week I publish the text of a great friend, Michael M. Lisboa. Married to Dianne and father of 3 children, he has just assumed the Dean of Integrated Management at the State University of Goiás, in Brazil.
In this post, he shares with us a brief reflection on his selection process comparing it to his adoption as a child of God in Jesus. You will surely be encouraged to a stronger spirituality in both deeds and words.
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Leia em Português
A Supernatural Process
I recently had a new experience in my life: I became a state civil servant.
Even temporarily, as a commissioned position, it has come to my heart that the process I have been through is similar to what every child of God goes through in his life, the supernatural process of our adoption by Heavenly Father.
Election
First, we have our election “because God chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us to be adopted as children through Jesus Christ, according to the good purpose of His will ”(Eph 1:4-5, emphasis added)
I was chosen for the position I was called. God, in His absolute sovereignty and love, has chosen those who were, are, and will be his children. It is He who draws us and convinces us through His Holy Spirit “of sin, righteousness, and judgment.”
This process is a mystery because God’s Word also says that everyone has their role, their surrender to do. We read verses such as “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10: 9) but aware that it is from God Himself that this will comes.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Jesus, Gospel of John 6:44
Nomination
Secondly, He names us. He gives His name to those who receive Him as Father. “But to those who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God” ( John 1:12). I was appointed by someone with the proper authority. And my name was written in the official journal so that everyone would know it and I could be empowered to perform my function.
In the case of the nomination that joins us into the divine family, it is infinitely more powerful and eternal. Our new name is given by the Father “from whom the whole family is named in heaven and on earth” (Eph 3:15). We are officially adopted by the Father through the adoption document, written in the book of life with the blood of his Son Jesus. Hallelujah!
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 21:27
Possession
Finally, even though we have already been chosen and nominated, we must take possession of what is rightfully ours. This term that has been so misused implies that we have to “run after” our own, accept and live in the fullness of Christ. So we demonstrate that it was worth for Him to have chosen us, bringing joy and honor to His name! In my case, in the public service, I had to go to a department, sign long documentation, and take office for the position to which I was appointed. If I didn’t do it on time and correctly I could lose my nomination.
In the case of our choosing as children of God, we will never lose this title, but we must decide to live the fullness as children of the most high God, co-heirs with Christ! How sad that a beloved son of the omnipotent God does not live his sonship in all its beauty, love, power, and authority. We cannot receive Christ and not receive from His authority, power, and gifts, nor can we receive from His authority and true power without receiving Christ.
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul, 2Thessalonians 2:14
Conclusion
Therefore, we have already received everything we need for our life. We have already received all the necessary anointing that teaches us about all things (1 John 2:27), besides being part of the body of Christ, having already received from all His fullness (Eph 1:23). May God help us and daily empower us to live as we truly are, beloved children of God.
Prayer: God, I thank you for your eternal love and for calling me to be part of your family in Christ. I acknowledge that I am chosen, nominated, and I take ownership of my identity as a beloved child of God. I ask that your Holy Spirit will help me to live always for your glory, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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