Tim Morrow

This past year has been a real life-changing season for me. No, I’m not talking about medical issues, I’m talking about turning 50 and becoming a grandpa. Yes, a “grandpa,” which sounds strange to me in some ways. I’ve viewed my dad as “grandpa” for so long it’s hard to attach the label to myself. 

It is amazing to me that this new kid named Ezra, my recently born grandson, has so quickly become part of my life. From the first time I laid eyes on him and held him, he was my family, my blood, my “grand” son.

It didn’t take time or effort. It didn’t take convincing or persuasion. It just was.  

The same went with my three daughters when they were born ... instant family! Those of you with children and grandchildren can relate, I’m sure.

If that is true of myself and my relationship with my three daughters and my grandson, how much truer is it of God and how he feels about his children.  

This is what I mean: When we are “born again” (John 3:3) into God’s kingdom, he accepts us instantly.  He does this because of what Christ did for us (Ephesians 2:1-10). On account of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, we are not only forgiven, but adopted as sons and daughters (Romans 8:15-17)!

When God welcomes us into his kingdom, his house, we are fully accepted, fully adopted, fully loved.  We do nothing to cause him to love us, to work so he will accept us, and neither does he put us on a trial run. It’s simply he brings us in as family.  

The scriptures even tell us something that is hard to imagine. It says that God the Father cares for his children even more than we care for our own children (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13). Listen, I love my children and grandson A LOT! But to think God loves and cares for me even more is mind-blowing.  

If you are a Christian — one who has repented of their sins and placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ — rejoice today. You are fully accepted as a son or daughter of God the Father.  

If not, the Bible says the way into that forgiveness, acceptance and reception as family is believing in Jesus Christ as God’s only son, trusting in his forgiveness through Christ’s death and resurrection, and turning away from your sins.  

Now that’s good news … that is ultimate freedom! As C.S. Lewis said in “Surprised by Joy,” “His compulsion is our liberation.”

(Tim Morrow is the pastor of New Life Church of Powell.)