In Bihar, India, there is a man named Augustine Jubakumar who leads a mission called Gospel Echoing Missionary Society (GEMS). Pastor Augustine and his wife have 4 biological children and 4 adopted children. The stories of their adopted children echo our adoption into God’s family.
One child was about to be thrown into a river as a sacrifice to Hindu gods but was rescued and adopted.
Another baby was placed on train tracks to be run over, but the train was late, so the baby was thrown onto a trash heap in the city dump. Dogs chewed off her arm, and she was near death. Someone took the baby, wrapped her in a dirty blanket for 2 days, and then brought her to the GEMS hospital. Her arm was amputated, and she was nursed back to health. Pastor Augustine and his wife adopted this baby into their family. Today, this young girl is 14 years old and doing great. This story of rescue and adoption mirrors our own adoption into God’s family through Christ.
Ephesians 1:5 - Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
Matthew 18:5 - And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Galatians 4:5-7 - To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
By Romans law, an adopted child could never be disinherited. You and I as believers are adopted into the family of God and our Father will never cut us out of His will because of His great love for us in spite of ourselves.
There is a Name I love to hear
I love to sing its praises.
It sounds like music in my ears,
the sweetest Name on earth.
Oh, how I love Jesus!
Oh, how I love Jesus!
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because HE FIRST LOVED ME!!
- Larry Petton (plus unknown writer)