SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

In Ephesians 1:3-14 offers the stages of growth that emerge out of this passage in our preparation for and fulfillment of adoption as sons. Number one of the Sonship gifts declares we are chosen. Number two declares we are made holy. Number three declares we are blameless. These gifts qualify us for the adoption. We know from the rest of the Scriptures that adoption is 100% about being sons and daughters of the Most High God, our Creator. In the adoption we actually become sons of God! Now that we are legally sons we can grow in the next stage of gifts, acceptance, redemption, and forgiveness. These are important transitions in order that our conscience can be clean and that gives us the same potential testimony, a parallel testimony to what the Apostle Paul had. Our part is to believe and receive it. In Acts 23 Paul said, ‘I know nothing against myself. I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’ The sealing part of the adoption permanently separates us from our past, never to be a hindrance again. This brings us into our future inheritance because as sons and daughters we are now heirs. The Holy Spirit is then given as the ninth Sonship Gift to be the guarantee of that inheritance. Or we could say, as His job the Holy Spirit guides us into that inheritance. The Spirit leads us into the fullness of our Sonship. This is the picture or framework for applying our Sonship Gifts and responding to life in wisdom and maturity. The purpose is that we take our place in the family of God developing the same relationship with the Father that Christ had. This enables us to fulfill our call in our assigned generation.