And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This is what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.

What does it look like to be holy and without fault standing before God? It means to be adopted. It means be in God’s family. And why did God do this? Why did He bless us with blessings? Why choose us before the world was made to be His people who stand before Him, holy and without fault, not as servants or as employees or attendants, but instead as sons and daughters? Because it brings Him praise. God’s purpose is Himself.

To some, this sounds selfish. But, this is not about God’s inflated ego, as if He is in need of praise from us. Rather, God is free. God loved you before He created the world. And not “you” only in the collective sense we share as humans; I mean you, the individual. God loved you before your parents ever met, and there was no reason or outside force making Him to love you. Neither was there a relationship you already had with Him; He was not compelled by your skill, intelligence, or physical prowess.

In his absolute freedom, God loved you and me and decided to make us His children. He does this through the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and ongoing ministry of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. It pleases Him to include us in His family. It brings praise to His grace, that strange loving way He treats us for no reason but Himself.

The freedom of God and the praise of His own glory which his love for us causes means God’s love is true. God’s love for us comes from Himself and ends in Himself. That is why it is trustworthy and certain. If God’s love for me was based on me instead of on Him, I would not last long. But He has adopted me as His child and so I can be certain that He will always be my Father.

By Daniel Rodriguez, Bible League International staff, Texas U.S.