Chosen by God

We all desire relationships in which we are accepted, valued, and wanted. We desperately long for this esteem from our peers, but seldom experience the "real thing."

Countless stories are written about teenagers who accept life-threatening dares in the hopes of being accepted by their peers, or business people who compromise their integrity and ethics to join an elite, inner circle. We read of men and woman who are driven to succeed because they believe the lie that says their value is determined by the quality and level of their performance. Or how about the teenager or lonely single who sacrifices his virginity for the chance to experience closeness and the feeling of being wanted.

For the Christian, none of this futile struggle is necessary because we have been chosen by God before time ever began. We belong, we matter, we have been accepted. No longer outcasts or second-class citizens, we are part of his family.

-From A Dad's Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. -John 1:12

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." -Romans 8:15

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. -Galatians 3:26

He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. -Ephesians 1:5

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