Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. – John 3:17
Can you imagine prospective parents saying, “We’d like to adopt Johnny, but first we want to know a few things. Does he have a house to live in? Does he have money for tuition? Does he have a ride to school every morning and clothes to wear every day? Can he prepare his own meals and mend his own clothes?”
No Adoption Agency would stand for such talk. Its representative would lift her had and say, “Wait a minute. You don’t understand. You don’t adopt Johnny because of what he has; you adopt him because of what he needs. He needs a home.”
The same is true with God. He doesn’t adopt us because of what we have. He doesn’t give us his name because of our wit or wallet or good attitude… Adoption is something we receive, not something we earn.
Taken from Max Lucado’s devotional for December 17, p.382, Grace For The Moment.