Adoption

God’s doing a lot among the people of FBC. Folks are growing in their desire to live holy lives. Young moms are wanting to be good and godly moms. Husbands are desiring to be good and godly husbands. Young fathers are seeking to be good dads who honor the Lord and raise their family in a godly way. And while these and many other things are happening, God also seems to be stirring in many a deeper love for children.

Adoption is not for everyone, but the heart for adoption and for children seems to be growing among us.   Adoption is a good and noble pursuit. There are so many underlying truths compelling us. Here are a few of the top realities which are driving these decisions among our people to adopt:

1. Adoption is a beautiful earthly picture of the gospel. God has loved us with a love that does not quit. He did not have to love us, but he did. God set his loving affection on us—for no reason of our own—and made us his. The Bible says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8 15-17).
2. Adopting a child can ensure that they hear the gospel. Now, adopting a child will also ensure a lot of other things. It will certainly ensure a “better life”.  However, the greatest assurance that exists for a child growing up with Christian parents will be the guarantee that he will in fact hear the gospel. There is no greater message which needs to be heard. Kids need a lot of things these days. They need dads and moms. They need love and security. They need hope and education. But most of all, they need to hear the gospel. The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
3. God’s love is an indiscriminate love—and our love should be, too. Our families say that in their house, there is neither American nor foreign, there is neither adopted nor biological, there is neither black nor white, for we are all one in God’s sight.  In the same vein, Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” (Galatians 3:28).  
4. We desire to be obedient to the Great Commission. Jesus said. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Hoy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). So often, we think of obedience to the Great Commandment as involving our travelling across the street or across the city or across the country or across the ocean to tell someone about Jesus. However, the Great Commission should begin right here at home. Our own children are the first objects of our pursuit of the Great Commission. Before we make disciples of other nations, let us begin with ourselves.  Adoption is just one other means of being obedient to the Great Commission.

There are many in the middle of raising adopted children.  Several other couples are in the process now at First Baptist.   When you see them, ask how the process is going. Talk to them about their soon-coming children. Encourage them. Ask them how you can pray for them, and together we will all look forward to seeing those children God brings our way—for the good of FBC Paducah and beyond, and for the glory of our great God.