Ephesians 1:3, 5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.


Remember when fathers couldn't wait to hand the family business over to their sons? We encourage more independence now from our youth and the really established businesses are starting to disappear one by one. Christianity is much more concerned with the connection we have with one another through the ages and with God. When Paul uses language that suggests that we have been adopted by God, it is done purposely and with every expectation that we will take on the family business! Their is security and assurance and well-being in our knowledge that God is taking us on as his own. But their is also responsibility! We represent a great and respected family when we accept the family name of Christian. What expectations does your own family have of you? How about your Christian family?