We are not sure who invented the sandwich (was it the “Earl of Sandwich”?), but it is estimated that Americans consume 300 million sandwiches every day. We even describe our lives as “sandwiched” between birth and death.

Paul pointed to our adoption by the Heavenly Father as being sandwiched between our predestination to salvation and the reward of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:3-12). Inside this sandwich, we find the delicious contents of our adoption, redemption, and justification. All of this was to be to the praise of His glory. Paul reminds us all of this is His will, and not our own.

God’s deliberate choice of His children culminated in their adoption into His family. We find the family metaphor throughout the Bible, initially when God created the first family of Adam and Eve, and being consummated in the marriage of the Bride of Christ with Him for all eternity (Revelation 22:17). In God’s eyes, family relationships are important!

Adoption is particularly meaningful to those who are not Jews, since God extended His adoption to us despite the fact we are not children of Abraham (Romans 9:4). We were outsiders and orphans. But the death of Jesus Christ made it possible for us to become members of His family through faith in His death and resurrection on our  behalf. We now enjoy the benefits of being part of His family!

We can certainly demonstrate attachment disorder after being adopted by disobeying Him, but that does not change our status. We can try to earn His favor by doing good works, but that does not alter His love for us. God’s plan is for us to live in the truth that we have been adopted by Him!

In what ways do you see God’s adoption of you giving meaning to your life between your predestination and spending eternity with Him in heaven? Please leave a comment in the box below.