New Family in Christ
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Key Verse: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Selected Scripture: |
TODAY’S LESSON BEGINS with an expression of thanksgiving and praise to the Heavenly Father for the spiritual blessings which believers receive through Jesus Christ.—Eph. 1:3
Paul then affirms that God’s plan for human redemption was conceived even before man was created, through his only begotten Son as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.—Rev. 13:8
Our Key Verse indicates that the saints were predestinated as a class through Jesus Christ to be adopted into God’s family as his children. A parallel to this teaching is found elsewhere in scripture. “Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom. 8:29) This entire arrangement is an act of grace by God for the accomplishment of his good pleasure.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”—Eph. 1:7-9; Col. 1:27
The essence of the mystery is that the Heavenly Father planned for the salvation and blessing of the human family to be accomplished solely by the Savior. However, a class of individuals is now being called from mankind who will be united with Jesus Christ to bless all people during the promised kingdom of God, in fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham long ago.—Gen. 12:1-3
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”—Eph. 1:10-12
The foregoing portion addresses the period when God’s eternal purpose will have reached its fulfillment. When all things that offend and every evil doer that does not change his course will be destroyed after Satan shall be bound for one thousand years (Rev. 20:3), paradise shall be restored, and mankind will live in harmony with God and attain everlasting life on the earth. Ultimately, everyone and all things will be under subjection to God.—I Cor. 15:25-28
After receiving the assurance of sonship by accepting the offer of salvation and devoting their lives in consecration to do God’s holy will under all circumstances, believers also are granted the Holy Spirit as a foretaste of their ultimate Divine inheritance to reign with Christ as a member of his body. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth: … in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”(Eph. 1:13,14) How enthusiastic all the saints should be towards faithfully fulfilling their vows of consecration. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10