Ephesians 1:5,6

God's Sons By Adoption

Under Roman law, a Roman citizen could take one not his child by birth and make him his child through a legal act properly attested to and witnessed. The child would thereby gain all the rights and privileges of a son in the family. Similarly, those who because of their sinfulness were children of the devil can become children of God through the work of Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:4-7; Romans 8:1-17). All of this was, and is, accomplished in accord with what is pleasing to God. It should be noted that an adopted child is specially chosen, never becoming a son without forethought on the part of the father (Ephesians 1:5).

We become his adopted sons with the express purpose of praising and glorifying the Father and his great grace (Matthew 5:13-16). The words "has made" are in the past tense, which indicates God in a one time act made provision for our acceptance (Hebrews 9:28). Jesus' death stands as a one time sacrifice for our sins and can make us accepted in Christ Jesus, or "the Beloved" (Galatians 3:26-27). This can only happen in him (Ephesians 1:6).