Kimberly and I have been convinced for
nearly a year that adopting a child is one way to “Live out the Gospel” in a
world that devalues life, primarily through abortion, but also through child
neglect or abuse. Little prayer was needed in order to understand that
believers must be involved in caring for the poor and the afflicted. The
Psalmist writes in Psalm 140:12, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of
the afflicted and justice for the poor.” Children are amongst the most afflicted
in our society as such pursues selfish endeavors by living out an
individualistic, materialistic, and consumeristic philosophy of life. David
Platt described our cultural landscape by stating that it is “marked by
materialism, characterized by consumerism, and engulfed in individualism.” Abortion,
Sex Trafficking, and Child abuse/neglect, among many, are injustices resulting
from this ungodly philosophy of life. The love of Christ compels believers to
wage war against such injustices that Christ might be magnified and glorified
throughout the entire world.
Such
being said, followers of Jesus seek, like their Lord, to overcome the
injustices of society by engaging in the warfare. As ambassadors of Christ and
ministers of reconciliation, our dutiful pleasure involves participating in
combating the injustices of the world through Gospel Living. How, you might
ask, can we engage in this warfare? How can we take part, as the church, in
overcoming the injustices of society? Prayer serves as our first line of
defense; however, in praying, we must be willing to personally be engaged in
the warfare. We must pursue Spirit led practical ways to combat the injustices.
In doing so we represent the heart of our King by overcoming evil with good.
One
avenue of defense involves Christian families adopting abused and/or neglected
children. James writes, “A
religion that is pure and stainless in the sight of God the Father is this: to
take care of orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep oneself
unstained by the world” (James 1:27). Adoption provides believers
with an opportunity to manifest the beauty of the gospel as an “adoptive”
gospel. The Scriptures describe children of God as being “predestined to
adoption to Himself through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5). God the Father
adopted us into His family as an act of love and grace. Christian families
adopting children reflect this God-like love and grace as they lavish their
love on children who are not biologically their own.
Kimberly
and I, being convinced that adoption afforded us the opportunity to “Live out
the Gospel,” thought it would be a few years before we began the adoption
process; however, God in His sovereign plan knew otherwise. In recent days the
opportunity has arisen for us to adopt two children ages five and two. Michael
(5) and Abby (2) have lived in an unstable home since their birth. Knowing the
circumstances, because we know the birth parents, we knew that the Father had
provided us the opportunity to lavish our love upon them as He has lavished His
love upon us. We understand there are financial, emotional, mental, and
physical sacrifices that must be made to facilitate the adoption; however, we
also understand that these are the demands of the gospel. Loving others in the
manner that Christ has loved us is costly and sacrificial. Though we cannot
adopt every abused or neglected child, we can participate in providing a
stable, gospel-centered environment for Michael and Abby. The Father does not
ask us to “Do It All,” but rather, willing participation in His kingdom work.
His kingdom work involves seeking to overcome the injustices of the world. How
are you engaging in the warfare between righteousness and unrighteousness? How
are you actively participating in manifesting the glorious beauty of the gospel
to the world? My prayer for the Bradsher family and you is that we would be
actively involved, through sacrificial and costly love, in overcoming the
injustices of the world. O that the gospel would rule us in such a manner that
our very lives reflect its power and glory.
Your
Fellow Servant in the gospel,
Joel
Bradsher
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