Freedom Calls

Understand the promises God has made to His adopted children, who are “in Christ.”

1. Chosen and loved

In John 15:16, Jesus says that He chose us, not the other way around. This is a profound truth, as it highlights God’s sovereign will in our salvation. We didn’t choose Him; He chose us, appointing us to bear fruit that will last. This fruit is the result of our union with Christ, and it’s a direct consequence of His love for us. This promise assures us that God’s love is not based on our performance or worthiness but on His sovereign choice.

2. New creation

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes that if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. This means that our old, sinful nature has been replaced by a new nature, one that is redeemed and forgiven. This new creation is not just a renovation of the old but a complete transformation, where the old has passed away, and the new has come. This promise reminds us that our identity is no longer defined by our sinful past but by our new life in Christ.

3. No condemnation

Romans 8:1-2 declares that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is a powerful promise, as it frees us from the weight of guilt and shame. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are no longer under the law’s condemnation. Instead, we are under the law of the Spirit, who gives life. This promise assures us that we are not defined by our past mistakes or failures but by the redemption we have in Christ.

4. Righteousness in Christ

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul writes that God made Jesus, who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. This verse highlights the incredible exchange that took place on the cross. Jesus, who was sinless, took our sin upon Himself, and in return, we receive His righteousness. This promise reminds us that our righteousness is not based on our own good works but on the perfect righteousness of Christ, which has been credited to us through faith.

5. Adopted as children

In Romans 8:14-15, Paul explains that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. This adoption is not based on our merits or achievements but on the sovereign will of God. The Spirit we received brings about our adoption to sonship, and we can cry out to God as our Abba (Father). This promise assures us that we are not just servants or followers but beloved children of God, with all the rights and privileges that come with it.

6. Sealed by the Holy Spirit

In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes that when we believed, we were marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. This promise reminds us that our salvation is not just a past event but a present reality, where the Holy Spirit seals us and guarantees our inheritance in Christ.

7. God’s workmanship

Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This verse highlights the fact that our salvation is not just about forgiveness but also about transformation. We are recreated in Christ to do the good works that God has prepared for us. This promise assures us that we are not just passive recipients of salvation but active participants, called to live out our new identity in Christ.

8. More than conquerors

In Romans 8:37-39, Paul writes that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. This promise reminds us that we are not just struggling to make it through life but are empowered to overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This promise assures us that we are not just survivors but overcomers, living victoriously in Christ.

9. Loved with an everlasting love

In Jeremiah 31:3, God declares that He has loved us with an everlasting love. This promise reminds us that God’s love is not based on our performance or feelings but on His sovereign will. His love is an everlasting love, one that will never fade or waver. This promise assures us that we are secure in God’s love, no matter what challenges we face.

10. Given a future and a hope

Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. This promise reminds us that our lives are not aimless or directionless but are part of a larger plan that God has for us.

This promise assures us that we are not just wandering through life without purpose but are part of a grand narrative that God is writing. Our future is not uncertain or fearful but is filled with hope and promise, because it is anchored in God’s sovereign will.

These promises remind us of our true identity as adopted children of God, who are “in Christ.” They assure us that we are loved, chosen, and forgiven, and that we have a new creation, a new identity, and a new purpose.

They remind us that we are no longer defined by our past mistakes or failures but by the redemption we have in Christ.

These promises empower us to live victoriously, to overcome any obstacle, and to fulfill the good works that God has prepared for us.

As we stand on these promises, we can indeed be strong and take heart, trusting in the Lord and His purposes for us. We can live with confidence, knowing that our lives are secure in God’s love and that our future is filled with hope and promise.