Ephesians Summer Devotional | Day 2
Tuesday – Adopted into God’s Family
Written by Sarah McClellan (Lithopolis Campus)
Ephesians 1:5–6
Key Verse: “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.” (v. 5)
Do you ever look at your spouse or dear friend after an especially spastic moment and count yourself lucky that they’re with you? I like to remind my husband (frequently) that he chose me. He could have married any woman in the world, but he decided to hitch his wagon to mine (despite the fact that my dad warned him).
All jokes aside – this boggles my mind. I know how difficult I can be. I see how challenging I can be. I’m aware that I’m sometimes unreasonable and dramatic. But my husband chose me. While my husband’s love for me is wonderful, it’s also limited by his humanity. But God’s love – His is not limited. In fact, God, the creator of the universe, ADOPTED me!
Adoption is not accidental or obligatory – it’s a deliberate choice to bring someone into a family and call them “my own.” That’s exactly what God did for us. Before we ever knew Him, He had already chosen to make us His sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. This was not driven by obligation, but by love – deep, initiating, unshakable love. Your identity isn’t something you have to earn or achieve. It’s a gift God gave you because He wanted you.
When Paul says we’ve been adopted “to sonship,” he’s referencing full legal rights in a Roman context. This wasn’t a second-class status – it meant inheritance, access, and belonging. Through Jesus, you’re not just accepted by God; you’re embraced, claimed, and celebrated as part of His family. Let that truth shape how you see yourself today. You are adopted, chosen, loved, and secure in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean to you that God chose to adopt you – not out of obligation, but out of love?
- Identify a time when you felt unlovable or unworthy. How does God’s choice to adopt you speak into that moment?
- How is God’s adoption of you different from human love?
- In what ways can you live more confidently today knowing you are a full member of God’s family?
Prayer Prompt:
Repeated from yesterday: “God, thank You for choosing me, blessing me, and calling me Your child—help me live secure in Your love today.