Adoption Isn’t Charity, It’s War

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I’ve had numerous conversations with people expressing concern at our adoption:

…Is this the right time…Just remember you can’t save the world…Do you have those resources…Think of what you’re giving up…What if the child is sick or brings a really challenging situation…You know, This is not going to be easy…

In our affluent culture, we have a skewed perspective that life is about our comfort and ease. But contrary to popular belief this is not the point of life. Comfort and ease should not be our goal to achieve or maintain.Don’t get me wrong. I like comfort and ease, probably a little too much. I often let the fear of potential discomfort, struggle, or suffering burden me. In which case, I have to practice taking “captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

The Heart of Adoption in regards to Christ is not charitable or admirable. It is not the process of “good people” doing a “good thing.” It is as a culture recognizing our desensitization to such despair, acknowledging the true horror of their circumstances, and yearning for redemption.

…adoption is contested, both in its cosmic and missional aspects. The Scriptures tell us there are unseen beings in the air around us who would rather we not think about what it means to be who we are in Christ. There rulers of the age would rather we ignore both the eternal reality and the earthly icon of it. They would rather we find our identity, our inheritance, and our mission according to what we can see and verify as ours – according to what the Bible calls “the flesh” – rather than according to the veiled rhythms of the Spirit of life. That’s why adoption isn’t charity – it’s war. – Russell D. Moore, Adopted for Life, 18.

If we say that the Bible is the word of God and that we believe in, for lack of a better term, the pleasant spiritual-realm in the Bible – God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, angels – then we MUST also believe, as it says, that there is opposition. We have an enemy.

Satan is the prince of “the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) and “of this world” (John 12:31). He is our enemy: the deceiver, intimidator, accuser; a roaring lion, tempter, and murderer. He want absolutely nothing more than to see us suffer. He loves abortion, abuse, addiction, perversion, and poverty. He loves these things not only for what they do and take from people, but also because they take God’s place in that person’s life. They become the burden of shame upon their shoulders or the idol to which they bow. They are in direct opposition everything pure that God desires for us.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. – Ephesians 6:12-14

The War is already over.

God Won.

But there are daily battles that we must fight and overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we adopt…we’re picturing something that’s true about our God. We, like Jesus, see what our father is doing and do likewise (John 5:19). And what our Father is doing, it turns out, is fighting for the orphans, making them sons and daughters. – Russell D. Moore, Adopted for Life, 73.

~ Becca

This is a massive topic…What are your thoughts on Spiritual Warfare? 

Sharing this with: The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, Moms the Word, A Mama’s Story, Adventures in Mindful Living, Cornerstone Confessions, Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, Raising Arrows, Deep Roots at Home, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Walking Redeemed, Serving Joyfully, Upside Down Homeschooling, Raising Mighty Arrows, & Christian Mommy Blogger

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Becca V

Creator at Milk & Honey Living

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