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having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Not only has God chosen us, He also has adopted us.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving predestined<\/span>\u201d is the translation of the verb prooridz\u014d<\/em><\/span>. The first half of this compound word is pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbefore in time or place.\u201d The second half is horidz\u014d<\/em> <\/span>(from which we get our English word horizon), meaning \u201cto mark out or create a boundary,\u201d that is, \u201cto establish or determine.\u201d Therefore, we see that prooridz\u014d<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto establish or determine something beforehand.\u201d<\/p>\n The phrase \u201cadoption as sons<\/span>\u201d is from huiothesia<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of huios<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cson\u201d and a form of tith\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto set in place.\u201d Huiothesia<\/em><\/span>, therefore, refers to the action of establishing a person as a son, not by natural birth but by legal action.<\/p>\n \u201cGood pleasure<\/span>\u201d is from eudokia<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of eu<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cwell\u201d and a form of the verb doke\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto think.\u201d Thus, eudokia<\/em> <\/span>refers to \u201cgood thoughts.\u201d It stresses the freedom of an intention regarding what is good.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cwill<\/span>\u201d is thel\u0113ma<\/em><\/span>, indicating a determination. It is one of two nouns translated \u201cwill.\u201d The other is boul\u0113ma<\/em> <\/span>which implies a desire or a purpose.<\/p>\n The expression \u201chaving predestined us<\/span>\u201d is grammatically tied to \u201cHe chose us<\/span>.\u201d Thus we see that in eternity past, when God chose us (to be holy and without blemish), He also predestined us. That is, before time began God also established ahead of time (pun intended) that we would also be legally adopted as His children. One exciting thing about this is what Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans:<\/p>\n For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs\u2014heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,<\/span> (Romans 8:15-17a<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n Because God chose us, He also adopted us, making us legally his children and heirs to all that He has. This adoption has two aspects. Presently, we Christians are God\u2019s children, having access to our Father and the spiritual riches He has bestowed upon us. The future aspect is alluded to in Romans 8:23<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n Not only that<\/span>,<\/em> but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.<\/span><\/p>\n As adopted children, God will one day provide for us a perfect, heavenly body.<\/p>\n Finally, we are told that He has done this according to His own determination, which He is pleased with. It is not legally required of Him, even by His own righteousness. He did it simply because He wanted to do it.<\/p>\n Thank you, God, for choosing me and for adopting me into your heavenly family. In gratitude I offer all that I am and all that I have to be used to bring glory to your name!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
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