Beyond the Weekend

December 14 | Identity

December 14, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:4b-5

Read: Ephesians 1:4b-5

Listen: Ephesians 1

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Paul opens by praising God when writing to a church in the city of Ephesus. While he praises God for many things in these opening verses, one thing jumps from the page—in love God adopted us to be his sons and daughters through Christ! Then Paul tells us it is because he wanted to. He says God adopted us, “in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

Many factors contribute to our view of ourselves, our identity. If we’re honest, we might admit we define ourselves often by our accomplishments, family, intelligence or even beauty. For some of us, it’s the Christmas presents we buy, the successes of our kids, or how well we decorate our home. For others, it might be something different entirely. Whatever it might be, it is tempting for us to make our identity all about us—what I can accomplish, what I have or where I came from.

But if we take today’s words of Paul seriously, we see that our identity has nothing to do with these things. In fact, it has nothing to do with us. The truest thing about us is that we have been chosen by our God to be called his children just because he wanted to.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

This time of year, we can let comparison grip our hearts or find our identity in the wrong places. Instead, may we remember who we are, and whose we are. End today’s journal responses with the words, “This is ____________, your dearly loved child.” Then, memorize Ephesians 1:4b-5 as a healthy reminder that in love God chose you as his son/daughter just because he wanted to.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like