Experts have estimated the number of orphans on the planet to be in excess of 150 million. If it helps to get a handle on the size of this number, it is roughly half the population of the U.S.A.
When a family opens up their hearts and home and adopts an orphan, the tragedy is lessened — one child at a time.
Children who have lost their parents are called orphans, but many human beings (adults included) are living as spiritual orphans. The vast majority of the 7.03 billion people on the globe are living without a relationship with God the Father. They lack an abiding sense of belonging to one greater and more wonderful than themselves. They also don’t have an inheritance — heavenly home — to look forward to receiving.
They are orphans indeed, but thank God He is in the adopting business. He is reaching out to spiritual orphans, telling them that through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, they can become one of His children forever.
When a person believes in Christ, they receive the forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in their hearts, making them cry out to God, “Abba [Dear], Father.” What a relief it is for a soul to come into this relationship. It is truly as great as a neglected orphan being adopted and finding out he or she now has a home and loving parents. They also are to receive an inheritance — a home in heaven where there will be unspeakable joy in the presence of God.
Do you know God as your Father through the Lord Jesus Christ? One child at a time, God is calling out to sinners and making them His own sons and daughters. It must be one child at a time, because each of us has to answer the gospel call and trust Christ on our own.