Mirror Images: Part Two

2. Adoption is rooted in Christ and is first and foremost, God's work

As we talked about last time, not only could we not help ourselves out of our sinful depravity as unbelievers, but the Bible tells us that we weren’t even able to reach for a Helper. John 15:16 says that “you did not choose Me, but I chose you” (emphases mine). My experiences holding precious little ones who couldn't even lift their heavy, hydrocephalus heads to look up at me, or reach out a hand because of debilitating stiffness and paralysis are forever branded in my memory as striking illustrations of my own weakness prior to God's work of redemption in my life. Earthly orphans cannot facilitate their own rescue or adoption; they are totally dependent on the perfect sovereignty of God to care for them and place them into the homes of His choosing. Furthermore, loving orphaned children ourselves or adopting is simply responding to God’s pre-established commands to care for the fatherless and reflect the love that’s already been shown us (see Deuteronomy 24:17-24, Psalm 10:14-18, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17, and James 1:27, among others). Thus, we, as orphans once ourselves and those now caring for orphans on the earth, must esteem God rightly as the author and foundation of any adoptive work or ministry.