Devo Week 48

The Favor of the Insider -- Spirit of Adoption (Part 2)

Leaving home and entering another language and culture requires humility. It also requires faith. Faith, to leave family, and faith, to be received by others. It's a vulnerable position, not knowing whether or not you will be received, but there is grace to draw upon through the Spirit of adoption.

Key Concept: Being Adopted

The process of leaving home and being adopted by others is demonstrated throughout Scripture by followers of God such as Ruth, Moses, Joseph, and Jesus. (Phil. 2:5-11) Paul followed in the way of Christ and was known as the 'apostle to the Gentiles.' (Rom. 11:13)

Paul's motto was to become all things to all people. How is that achieved? Through a lifestyle of learning. 'Sent ones' are first learners, not teachers, in the process of being adopted by another people group. Done well, learning will occur from both sides: 'sent ones' will learn from the local people, and the local people will learn from being exposed to the perspective of the 'sent one.'

In time, the blessings reciprocated through the relationship build trust, endearment and understanding. As revelation of Jesus Christ unfolds, the faith of the 'sent one' is transformed into favor with the local people.

Key Word Definition: favor (transitive verb)

-- if you favor someone, you treat them better or in a kinder way than you treat other people
-- feel or show approval or preference for
-- to meet with approval

Excerpt from Devotional 48 with highlighted word:

"That was one of many times we experienced the favor of the 'insider' – a favor that continued to deepen, blessing us throughout the whole time we lived and worked with the Akha."

Scripture: I Corinthians 9:22-23

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”