God Will Never Send His Children Packing

By now you've probably heard about Torry Hansen, the woman from Tennessee who sent her adopted 7-year-old son back to Russia. AolNews reports,

Last week Hansen placed the child, unaccompanied, on a one-way flight from Washington, D.C., to Moscow, where she had hired a man to pick him up and take him to the Russian Science and Education Ministry Building.

"I adopted this child, Artem Saveliev, on September 29, 2009," Hansen wrote in a note stuffed into the boy's backpack. "This child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues/behaviors. I was lied to and misled by the Russian orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues."

An investigation is underway to determine if Hansen's actions violates any laws and thereby constitutes a crime. So far no charges have been filed. However, Russian officials are outraged and have threatened to suspend all adoptions of Russian children by U.S. parents. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called Hansen's actions a "monstrous deed."

One of my friends, who provided a link to the above article on his facebook profile, passed on a remark made by another pastor who said, "This is a tragedy. But, it gives one new appreciation for our adoption into God's family, where we are NEVER 'sent back.'"

I remember thinking the very same thing as I watched the story unfold on the news the other night. The New Testament says that as a response to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God adopts us into His family.

Galatians 3:26: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
John 1:12: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name."

A few contrasts can be made regarding Hansen's adoption of the Russian boy, and God's adoption of His children:

Based on her claims, Hansen didn't know what this boy was like before she adopted him. God, on the other hand, did not adopt any of His children in ignorance. He knew we were a bunch of dirty rotten sinners, yet in His mercy and grace He adopted us anyway. This leads to the second point:
Whereas Hanson's acceptance of her adopted son was conditioned on his behavior, God's love and acceptance of His adopted children is unconditional. "God demonstrates His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Hanson's adoption of the Russian boy was temporary - she sent him packing. But God's adoption of His children is permanent. Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).
All the boy got out of the deal was two hundred bucks and a one-way ticket back to Russia. As God's beloved children, we get to share all the riches of Christ. "But you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Rom. 8:15-17).

As I think on these blessed truths, a wonderful old hymn comes to mind. It's entitled I am His, and He Is Mine. If you'd like to sing it with a musical accompaniment, click here. Or you can simply read the lyrics below:

Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;

Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!

O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine!

In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green!

Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen;

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,

Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;

Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.

O to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His; Who the Lord and me shall part?

Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart!

Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;

But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.