Topic: You’re Already Chosen and Loved [RICK WARREN Devotional 23 September 2020]

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You’re Already Chosen and Loved

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT)Every person wants these three things—more than anything else: to be loved, to be accepted, and to be chosen.

These longings are there even in people unwilling to admit it.

But there’s good news: You don’t have to look anymore for love and acceptance. You’re already chosen, loved, and accepted by Jesus Christ.

Everyone wants to be chosen—from your childhood days at recess to your adult workplaces and love life. Being chosen is key to establishing your self-worth.

The Bible says in Ephesians 1:4-5, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (NLT).

God created the entire universe because he wanted a family. The whole reason the universe exists is because God wanted children to love.

According to this verse, when did God choose you? God chose you before the world was made!

Before God chose to create the universe, he had already chosen you. In fact, that’s why he decided to make the universe. He wanted a place where you could live. Before God chose any tree, he chose you. Before God chose the oceans, he chose you. Before God chose every rock that exists, he chose you.

That’s an amazing thought—that even before he chose to create the sun and moon and stars, God knew you and chose to love you. That is the foundation of your identity.

Nobody wants to be chosen last. But you have never been last in God’s thoughts. You have always been first on his mind. He chose you, he loves you, and he accepts you. You can rest in these truths today.

Knowing that God chose you before Creation, how do you think your life fits into his larger plan for the world?
Why does knowing you’re loved and accepted by God help you find rest?
What does it mean to be adopted into God’s family?

How do you become part of God’s family?

The Bible says all people fall short of God’s perfect standard. Yet God choose you—even though you sin and you’re flawed. In fact, God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to cleanse you from your sins and to bring you into the family of God.

If you’ve never accepted God’s love and decided to follow Jesus, I want you to have that opportunity now. Start with this prayer:

“Dear God, I don’t understand it all, but I thank you that you love me. I thank you that you are for me and that you didn’t send Jesus to condemn me but to save me.

“I confess that I have sinned against you, and I admit I need Jesus as my Savior. I want a relationship with Jesus. I want to follow him and do the things he tells me to do.

“I ask you to save me from my past, my regrets, my mistakes, my sins, my habits, my hurts, and my hang-ups.

“I ask you to save me for your purpose. I want to know why you put me on this planet. And I want to fulfill what you created me to do. I want to learn to love you and trust you and be in your family forever. In your name I pray. Amen.”

I want to encourage you in your journey with Jesus and send you some free materials to help you take your first steps.