In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship 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.

Ephesians 1:5 – 6

I recall memorizing as a child, “God is love.”  But, what does that mean?  Here are a few thoughts.  For some, God is like a demanding parent, always expecting more than we can possibly give. Or He is like a heartless judge who finds so much in us to condemn that there is no hope at all of ever pleasing Him.

Then we hear from the Scriptures, God loves us.  Furthermore,  He will do everything necessary to save us, always taking the initiative to do so.  Mankind is helpless when it comes to having peace with God.  We have no idea of how to relate to God, let alone please Him.

Our jaw drops when we realize that God is in fact committed to our welfare and joy.  He does that by adopting us into his heart and his family.  We have no right to be adopted.  We could not even dream of that.  So, it is not human beings crying to an unhearing God but God providing a way whereby “orphaned children” can actually become children of God, because of Jesus Christ who made that miracle possible.

I read that all of this happened because God willed it, not because people demanded it.  It is because of the grace of God, glorious grace that He lavishes on us through the One he loves.

So, it is all by God’s grace!  It is hard for us human beings to believe that.  We feel that we should somehow earn the right to be loved by God.

A note – I find it astonishing that Paul did not even mention Jewish privilege in all this.  Jews  are saved the same way Gentiles are saved, by embracing the salvation offered in Jesus Christ.