What is Christmas all about? - John Stonestreet

Thoughtful words from John Stonestreet:



"...feeling like Charlie Brown screaming at Linus, 'Can't anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?'

"....Well, one important thing is to remember what Eric Metaxas reminded us, that it's not really Christmas season -- it's Advent season, a time set aside by the church to help believers prepare to receive the fullness of Jesus' coming."



The real Once and Future King...


"And it's not just in remembrance of His incarnation, coming to Bethlehem as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, but also in anticipation of His return as the 'Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory,' who will 'send His angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the ends of the heavens' (Mark 13:26-27).

"Over the past few years, walking through this season of Advent in prayer, in scripture and devotional readings, has been a huge blessing to my family, my church, and to me personally.

"Another thing that has really helped me is studying just how big this Christmas story is.

"Behind all the gifts, the carols, nativity scenes, and dinner parties is a narrative that spans from the creation of the heavens and earth to the re-creation of the heavens and earth.

"Here's what I mean: All those characters we remember in the Christmas story -- Mary, the Wise Men, Shepherds, Angels, Joseph, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Simeon -- they all have something in common. They identified what was happening to them as being firmly rooted in the promises of God -- promises to His people detailed in the Old Testament.

Thinking like they did -- that behind all of the noise and chaos of this time of year is a story still being unfolded -- has changed almost everything about how I approach Advent and Christmas...

"And this Advent, let's look beyond all the glitzy schmaltziness of our culture's celebration of the holidays and see the grand story behind Christmas, and prepare ourselves to celebrate the bedrock truth of our faith, and the reason for our hope: 

Christ has come and He shall come again."


--From Breakpoint, November 25, 2013

Christmas - An unsentimental and realistic holiday? - from Timothy Keller

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned....For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

                       -- Isaiah 9:2, 5-7

Christmas ... is the most unsentimental, realistic way of looking at life.

It does not say, "Cheer up! If we all pull together we can make the world a better place."

The Bible never counsels indifference to the forces of darkness, only resistance, but it supports no illusions that we can ever defeat them.

Christianity does not agree with the optimistic thinkers who say, "We can fix things if we try hard enough." Nor does Christianity agree with the pessimist who see only a dystopian future.

The message of Christianity is, instead, "Things really are this bad, and we can't heal or save ourselves; things really are this dark--nevertheless, there is hope."

The Christmas message is that "on those living in the land of the shadow a light has dawned."

Notice that it does not say, "from the world a light has sprung," but "upon the world a light has dawned."

It has come from outside. There is light outside of this world, and Jesus has come from it to save us.

   From Timothy Keller's amazing book, Hidden Christmas, Chapter 1. Read it this month - you'll be so glad you did.

It Doesn't Seem Possible!

 

Thoughts from C S Lewis about our meeting the Sovereign God of the Universe:

   "In the end that Face which is the delight or the terror of the universe, must be turned upon  each of us either with one expression or with the other, either conferring glory or inflicting shame that can never be cured or disguised. 

   It is written that we shall 'stand before' Him, shall appear, shall be inspected...almost incredible that any of us who really chooses shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall  please God.

   To please God...to be a real ingredient in the Divine Happiness, to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work, or as a parent in his child - it seems impossible...our thoughts can hardly sustain it...but so it is."   -- From The Weight of Glory

To please God - to make Him happy - can we actually do that?

To be an 'ingredient in the Divine Happiness'....?

No, it doesn't seem possible......

BUT....Here we read....

"The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their trust in His unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11)

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such  sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:15-16)

"We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way..........." (Col 1:10)

For I am being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." (2 Tim 4:6-8)

Looks like we can, in fact, please Him!

Am I My Brother's Keeper -- Chuck Colson

Stories that come out of Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministry fill me with quiet, awe-ful joy.



This incident, whether you have heard it before or not, will do the same for you.

Colson relates it this way: He had been conducting a seminar in the Indiana State Prison just a few weeks after a man had been electrocuted. As soon as the seminar was finished, Colson, impatient to get away to keep a commitment to meet with the governor, urged his party of volunteers to hurry and join him on the plane that was waiting on the runway to take him to his important appointment.

One volunteer lingered, speaking to a prisoner who had, as Colson knew, just become a Christian recently.

"Let's go," Colson urged. "It is late."

The volunteer said, "Just a minute, please."

"No," Colson answered in an impatient tone, "Time's up. We must get going."

The volunteer replied, "Please, please, this is very important. You see, I am Judge Clement. I sentenced this man to die. But now he is born again. He is my brother, and we want a minute to pray together."


Colson tells now how he stood frozen in place. Before him stood two men -- one black and one white. One powerful and one powerless. One condemned to die and the other the judge who pronounced that sentence. Yet they stood next to each other, grasping a Bible together, united in prayer as one Christian brother with another.


Is there any force in the world more powerful than the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Charles Spurgeon - Fishing

Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.
                -- Luke 5:4


     We learn from this narrative the necessity of human activity. The catch of the fish was miraculous, but neither the fisherman nor his boat nor his fishing tackle were ignored; they were all used to take the fish.

     So, in the saving of souls, God works by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.

     When God works without instruments, He is glorified; but He has selected this plan of human involvement as being that by which He is most magnified in the earth.


     The means themselves can accomplish nothing. "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!"  What was the reason for this? Were they not experienced fishermen going about their business? They were not novices; they understood the work. Was the problem that they lacked skill? No. Were they lazy? No; they had worked. Did they lack perseverance?

No; they had worked all night.

     Was there a lack of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam into the net in large numbers.

     What then is the reason?

     It is because there is no power in the means themselves apart from the presence of Jesus. Without Him we can do nothing. But with Christ we can do all things.

     Christ's presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and His will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish into the net.

     When Jesus is lifted up in His Church -- His presence is the Church's power -- we hear the shout of a king in the midst of her!

     "I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself."

     Let us go out this morning on our work of soul-fishing, looking up in faith, and around us at the great opportunity. Let us work until the night comes and we will not labor in vain, for He who tells us to let down the net will fill it with fish.

     -- From Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon
    

Such a Crazy Story

 From Dr. James Dobson....

       "The King of the Universe  the Creator of all heaven and earth - who has no needs and no short-comings, cares about what we think and feel. That is almost incomprehensible."

Yes, it is almost - no, really totally - incomprehensible!

I remember years ago, when in high school and college anthropology and evolution classes the professors trying to explain the origin of the various religions throughout the world. It was because, as they told it, primitive man had to make up something to explain their world - so they sat around campfires, pondering the vast night sky,  and talked about the how's and why's and came up with religion - including Christianity.

Occasionally I would politely ask  if they had ever read the Bible...of course, no!

I reflected that the story of man's origin and rescue and redemption and restoration to God's family, as recounted in the Bible, is really a crazy story!  I mean, really, who would dream up a story like that! It's so crazy - it has to be true!

A Creator God, desiring to include His creatures in His love family, would, in grace, love and forgive them, reach out to rescue them, send prophets to bring them back to Him and then  come Himself to save them - I MEAN - THINK ABOUT IT - who would EVER dream that up?

The thought of that helped bind me to faith and  confidence in God's Word through all my educational years....

It's such a crazy story - no one would dream it up - it has to be true!

A Pilgrim in Progress

Conversation between Prudence and Christian, from The Pilgrim's Progress:

Prudence: Do you think sometimes of the country you came from [City of Destruction]?

Christian: Yes, but with shame and regret. But if I had preferred the country I came from, I would have returned to it, for I have had ample opportunity to do so. But now I desire a better country, a heavenly one.

Prudence: Do you still have some of the old country in you?

Christian: Yes, to my humiliation. I still have my old inward carnal thoughts, such as my countrymen, as well as myself, once delighted in. But now they are my grief, and not my joy.

If I could be rid of my fleshly nature, and do all I choose, I would never have another evil thought. But, I find now, 'When I would do good, evil is present with me.'

Prudence: Do you not find at times that those carnal things of which you speak seem to be purged?

Christian: Yes, those times are the golden hours of my life. However, these experiences I do not have as often as I want, and they do not last as long as I wish they might.

Prudence: Can you remember by what means you obtain these victorious, happy experiences?

Christian: Yes. When I think on what I saw and what I received at the cross; or when I think of the country to which I am going; or read from the pilgrim's book and pray, all doubts and fears, anxieties and cares, and all evil seem to vanish away. Yet I feel that is not I myself achieving this but the Spirit of Him who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Prudence: What gives you such a strong desire to go to Mount Zion?

Christian: Oh, I want to be with Him who gave Himself for my sins, and is giving me eternal life. I want to be with those who are like Him, and be free from pain and trouble and iniquity forever.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


When I think of what I received at the cross.....the golden hours of my life....
                           Reminds me of 2 Peter 1:5-8:

...Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins...





So the key to effective Christian living is: remembering what happened at the cross...

...it is so profoundly simple!

The Really Big Covenants

The Most Ancient Covenant:

  Covenant of Redemption 

This covenant was made in eternity past, by God Himself, with Himself, (as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in which the triune God agreed to provide redemption for His erring children through faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, His Son.

Covenant of Works

The Covenant of Works, although not mentioned specifically in the Old Testament, is implied.

According to covenant theologians, God entered into a covenant with Adam prior to the Fall. In this covenant He promised eternal life for obedience during a probationary period, and death if Adam disobeyed.

In this test Adam stood as the federal head of all humanity; had he obeyed, he would have been confirmed in righteousness, with the benefits passing to all humanity.

Conversely, because he failed and fell, Adam's act of disobedience was transmitted to all humanity -- all are born in sin and under sin's authority.

This Covenant finds its basis in the original Covenant of Redemption, where God proclaimed before Creation that He would provide for man's redemption.

Covenant of Grace

After Adam's fall, God entered into another covenant  with Adam (who was representing the human race) in which God, in His abundant mercy, promised eternal life to all who would believe in Jesus Christ.

Essentially, this Covenant, too, is based on the Covenant of Redemption, made in eternity past by the triune God.

There are no conditions for us under this Covenant. It is an unconditional covenant. The only requirement is faith in Jesus Christ.

God is faithful to keep His Word.

I will be God to you and to your descendants after you
(Genesis 17:7).

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9).

We are now living under the Covenant of Grace....

that amazing grace we praise and thank God for each day!

And it all looks back to that ancient, original Covenant of Redemption - God's covenant, not with us, His unfaithful ones, but with Himself, the always Faithful One!


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.

In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

In  Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:3-9)

About Holiness - Problem 3 - Jerry Bridges

Problem 1 - Our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered (see below)

Problem 2 - We have misunderstood "living by faith" (Galatians 2:20) (see below)

Problem 3 - We do not take some sin seriously....



We have mentally categorized sins into that which is unacceptable and that which may be tolerated a bit....

But the Scripture says it is "the little foxes that ruin the vineyards" (Song of Songs 2:15). It is compromise on the little issues that leads to greater downfalls. And who is to say that a little ignoring of civil law is not a serious sin in the sight of God?

In commenting on some of the more minute Old Testament dietary laws God gave to the children of Israel, Andrew Bonar said:

It is not the importance of the thing, but the majesty of the Lawgiver, that is to be the standard of obedience....Some, indeed, might reckon such minute and arbitrary rules as these as trifling. But the principle involved in obedience or disobedience was none other than the same principle which was tried in Eden at the foot of the forbidden tree. It is really this: Is the Lord to be obeyed in all things whatsoever He commands? Is He a holy Lawgiver? Are His creatures bound to give implicit assent to His will?

Are we willing to call sin "sin" not because it is big or little, but because God's law forbids it? We cannot categorize sin if we are to live a life of holiness. God will not let us get away with that kind of attitude.

       -- From The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, Chapter One


In Summary:

Jerry Bridges, in The Pursuit of Holiness, describes 3 obstacles in our journey toward holiness:

(1) Our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered

(2) We have misunderstood the meaning of "living by faith" and

(3) We do not take some sin seriously


He concludes chapter one with these challenges:


(1) Will you begin to look at sin as an offence against a holy God?
 
(2) Will you begin to take personal responsibility for your sin, realizing that as you do, you must depend on the grace of God?

(3) Will you decide to obey God in all areas of life, however insignificant the issue may be?

About Holiness - Problem 2 - Jerry Bridges

Problem 1 - Our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered  (see below).

Problem 2 - We have misunderstood "living by faith" (Galatians 2:20) to mean that no effort at holiness is required on our part.  In fact, sometimes we have even suggested that any effort on our part is "of the flesh."

The words of J. C. Ryle, Bishop of Liverpool from 1880 to 1900, are instructive to us on this point:

Is it wise to proclaim in so bold, naked, and unqualified a way as many do, that the holiness of converted people is by faith only and not at all by personal exertion? ...That faith in Christ is the root of all holiness...no well-instructed Christian will ever  think of denying. But surely the Scriptures teach that in following holiness the true Christian needs personal exertion and work as well as faith.

       {from Holiness, by J. C. Ryle}


We must face the fact that we have a personal responsibility for our walk of holiness.

One Sunday our pastor in his sermon said words to this effect: "You can put away that habit that has mastered you if you truly desire to do so."

Because he was referring to a particular habit which was no problem to me, I quickly agreed with him in my mind.

Then the Holy Spirit said to me, "And you can put away those sinful habits that plague you if you will take personal responsibility for them."


Acknowledging that I did have this responsibility turned out to be a milestone for me in my own pursuit of holiness.

     -- From The Pursuit of Holiness, Chapter One, by Jerry Bridges

About Holiness - Problem 1 - Jerry Bridges

 

These words from The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges:

Why do so many Christians feel constantly defeated in their struggle with sin?

Our first problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered.

We are more concerned about our own "victory" over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God. We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God.

(From W. S. Plumer)...We never see sin correctly until we see it as against God. All sin is against God because it is His law that is broken. His authority that is despised.  Pharaoh and Balaam, Saul and Judas each said, "I have sinned," but the returning prodigal said, 'I have sinned against heaven and before thee" and David said, "Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned."

God wants us to walk in obedience--not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self.

This may seem to be merely splitting hairs over semantics, but there is a subtle self-centered attitude at the root of many of our difficulties with sin. Until we face this attitude and deal with it, we will not consistently walk in holiness.

This is not to say God doesn't want us to experience victory but rather to emphasize that victory is a byproduct of obedience.

As we concentrate on living an obedient, holy life, we will certainly experience the joy of victory over sin.

---From Chapter One, Holiness is for You

Who was really the prodigal?

But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

 'Let's have a feast and celebrate.

'For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'

So they began to celebrate.

                                          -- Luke 15:22-24

As the prodigal son was restored to fellowship with his father, so we are restored to fellowship with God our Father through the work of Jesus Christ at the cross.

The father orders the servants to, quickly, bring the 'best robe' for him, to place a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Then he orders them to kill the fattened calf and prepare a celebration.

What a contrast! From a lowly hungry man begging for scraps, he is given dignity, honor and full acceptance.

He becomes the guest of honor.

We have the same contrast. We were sinners, enemies of God, condemned, objects of God's wrath.

But now we have also been restored to God's family.

We have been clothed in the righteousness of God's Son, Jesus, and have been given status as an heir of God.

It's a miracle we could never have imagined -


How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!
         -- 1 John 3:1

We always refer to this story as the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Prodigal means exceedingly, recklessly wasteful. And that does describe the son, who squandered all his wealth.

But prodigal can also mean lavish and abundant.

Probably the neighbors thought the father was wasteful with his love - he threw it away on his worthless son!


So in that case, maybe the story should be called the Parable of the Prodigal Father!

Because our Father is lavish with abundant love as He casts His care upon us, His needy, unworthy children!

Oxymoron - Oxymonoric

"Oxymoron" and "oxymoronic speech" is common today.

The word oxymoron comes to us from the ancient Greek, via ancient Latin, for a word that means (oxy)sharp (clever) or keen +  moron, meaning dull, or stupid.

So literally it means sharp dull, or smart stupid, making the word itself an oxymoron.


Sometimes oxymorons are deliberately intended to confuse and sometimes they are crafted just to demonstrate contradictions.

Sometimes they express provocative ideas.

Recently I have read binging on moderation, deliberate mistake, genuine imitation, pretty ugly, planned serendipity....mournful optimistic...silent noise? dark light? clever fool?

Remember living dead?

An oxymoron occurs when we put two words or expressions together that really do not go together.
They don't really fit!

A current one might be: private email!

I ran across a really good example in the New Testament, in the Book of Acts, Chapter 11.

It's about Peter's vision:


"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was.

"I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'

"I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'"

Clearly an oxymoron -- "No, Lord"

If Jesus is our Lord, we can't say "No, Lord"

These two words just don't go together.

That's something to remember every day- we can't call Jesus our Lord and not be obedient to Him.

Jesus said:

As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now  remain in My love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love.
   -- John 15:9-10

If you love Me you will obey what I command....If anyone loves Me he will obey My commands...
    -- John 14:15, 23


How about profoundly simple? That's what this idea is - if we truly call Him Lord and love Him as our Savior, we will obey Him!

We will never utter the words, "No, Lord"!

How Demons Try to Trick Us - C. S. Lewis

 

From Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis....

Supervisor Demon during training of young recruit on how to mess up Christians, especially

in regards to pleasure:

Supervisor Demon says, "Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its

healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are, in a sense, on the Enemy's ground.

"I know we have won many a soul through pleasure. All the same, it is his invention, not ours.

He made the pleasures: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All

we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures our enemy has produced, at times, 

or in ways, or in degrees, which he has forbidden...

"An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure is the formula. To get the man's soul and give him nothing in return-- that is what really gladdens Our Father's heart."

Absolutely sure - Charles Spurgeon

We  know that for those who love God, 

all things work together for good.

--Romans 8:28

Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure.

He knows, for instance, that God is the center of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, God is steering it.

This assuring knowledge prepares him for everything.

He looks over the raging water and sees the spirit of Jesus walking on the water, and he hears a voice saying, "It is I -- do not be afraid."

He knows too that God is always wise, and knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes and that nothing can occur that ought not to happen.

He can say, "If I lose everything, it is better that I should lose it than to keep it if God ordains it."

"We know that for those who love God, all things work out together for good."

The Christian does not merely hold this as theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact.

So far everything has worked for good; the poisonous drugs mixed in proper proportion have effected the cure; the sharp cuts of the scalpel have cleaned out the disease and facilitated the healing.

Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is learning to meet each trial calmly when it comes.

In  the spirit of true resignation the believer can say, "Send me what You will, my God, as long as it comes from You; there never was a poor portion that came from Your table to any of Your children."

His method is sublime and His heart profoundly kind,

God is never too early and never behind.

Use the Front Door!

Under AARON...

The LORD said to Moses, "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.


"This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic...." (Leviticus 16:2-3)


Under JESUS...


Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess...Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14, 16)


We will find grace to help....

reminder from the revival....G I N Y...Grace Is Now Yours....


Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy. -- C.  H. Spurgeon

How does adoption work?

Notes from Follow Me, by David Platt, describing the process through which he and his wife adopted a baby from Kazakhstan.



First, they had to go through a "home study." Since their home had been destroyed in Katrina, family friends and church members helped them put together an "apartment" as soon as possible.

As part of that home study, they had to be fingerprinted by "what seemed like every type of government or civic organization in the United States."

Then they had to get physicals that would verify a clean bill of health for them as parents.


David Platt continues:

"With home studies, fingerprints, and physicals past us, we began the long, agonizing process of waiting. Every single day we thought about our child, wondering if it would be a boy or a girl and longing for the day when we could hold that little one in our arms.

"Finally, about a year later, I received an e-mail. It was a picture of a boy.

"Nine months old, abandoned. I printed out the picture and ran to show it to Heather. We laughed, we cried, we rejoiced, we prayed, and within two weeks we were on a plane, headed to Kazakhstan.

"Upon arrival in the city we were immediately taken to his orphanage, where the director met us and escorted us in to a small room.  She shared all sorts of medical information with us about our son, and then it happened.

"A woman rounded the corner with a precious ten-month-old boy in her arms, and words can't describe the immediate swell of emotion that filled the room.

"The woman handed him to us, and for the first time, Caleb Platt looked into the eyes of a mom and dad.

"For the next four weeks, we visited Caleb in his orphanage. We held him, fed him, sang to him, laughed with him, and crawled all over the floor with him until the day finally came for us to adopt him.

"We were instructed on what to wear, what to say, and what to expect when we stood before a Kazakh judge.

"Our hearts were pounding in that courtroom as the proceedings played out.

"Finally the judge pronounced, "I grant this application of adoption, and this child now belongs to David and Heather Platt."

"We left the room with tears steaming from our eyes, ready to pick up Caleb from his orphanage for the last time.

"The parallels between Caleb's story and the gospel story are many, but I want to point out one that is particularly significant:

"Adoption begins with the parent's initiative, not a child's idea.

"Before Caleb was even born in Kazakhstan, he had a mom and day working to adopt him.

"While Caleb was lying alone at night in an orphanage in Kazakhstan, he had a mom and dad planning to adopt him.

"And one day when Caleb was placed in the arms of his mom and dad, he had no idea all that had been done, completely apart from any initiative in him, to bring him to that point.

"It seems obvious, but it is especially important: this precious ten-month-old baby did not invite us to come to him in Kazakhstan to bring him into our family; he didn't even know to ask for such a thing.

"No, this orphaned child became our cherished son because of a love that was entirely beyond his imagination and completely outside his control.

"He did not pursue us, for he was utterly unable to do so; instead, we pursued him.

"This is the heart of Christianity, and we are prone to miss it when we describe becoming a follower of Jesus as inviting him into our hearts.

"The reality of the gospel is that we do not become God's children ultimately because of initiative in us, and he does not provide salvation primarily because of an invitation from us.

"Instead, before we were ever born, God was working to adopt us. While we were lying alone in the depth of our sin, God was planning to save us.

"The only way we can become part of the family of God is through a love entirely beyond our imagination  and completely out of our control.

"Christianity does not begin with our pursuit of Christ, but with Christ's pursuit of us.

"Christianity does not start with an invitation we offer to Jesus, but with an invitation Jesus offers us."

We ourselves groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons. (Romans 8:23)

In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will. (Ephesians 1:5)