Formed Day 18: Adopted Into an Eternal Family

Scripture:

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family... God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” — Ephesians 2:19; 1:5 (NLT)

Devotional

If we are foreigners who do not belong to this world, where do we belong? Paul answers that we are no longer strangers; we are full citizens along with God's holy people and members of His family. Your true citizenship is not defined by a physical location, but by a relationship.

Before God ever created the world, He loved us and decided in advance to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ—a plan that gave Him great pleasure.

Worldly possessions, physical pleasures, and human achievements are all fading away along with the world itself. But the family of God is eternal; it existed before the world was made and will endure long after the world ends. You have a Heavenly Father, spiritual brothers and sisters, and Jesus as your cornerstone. You belong to an eternal family.

Reflection

How does knowing you were chosen and adopted into an eternal family before the creation of the world change your sense of identity?

Prayer Prompt

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me and adopting me into Your family. When I feel out of place in this world, anchor my heart in my identity as Your child and a citizen of Your eternal family. Amen.