YOU ARE NOT A STEP CHILD

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21, Romans 11:13-36, Psalm 22:1-18, & Proverbs 20:7

Romans 11:17-21

¹⁷ But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. ¹⁸ But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.

¹⁹ “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” ²⁰ Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. ²¹ For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

Can I suggest to you today that you are not a second class Christian? You are not a step child of God. You are not an illegitimate son. You are an heir of God & a joint-heir of Jesus Christ.

We spend a lot of time feeling low about ourselves. This has a lot to do with our knowledge & remembrance of our past failure, but I want to remind you that God has removed your past from you. He no longer remembers your past failures.

There was a time when we all were far from God. We were foreigners to Him & His promises. That all changed when we accepted what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. He made atonement for us. As we receive that awesome gift, we come into the family of God. We are grafted into God’s chosen people!!!

This means that God will…

1.      Provide for us.

2.      Protect us.

3.      Love us.

4.      Teach us.

5.      Raise us.

6.      Be with us.

7.      Talk to us.

...just like a father does with his own children. That is because we are now part of His family. We are not a separate shoot. We are not another family. We are part of His family tree!!!

Make sure that you refuse to fall into the thinking that you are a step child to God. THAT IS NOT TRUE! You are own of His very own! You are chosen, royal, & redeemed! He calls you His own.

 

Pastor Richard Schlotter