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AdoptionUp-Dated - Friday, April 04, 2014
Table of Contents We were not born as "sons of God" how can we be His sons and daughters? Gal 4:5 "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." The redeemed (bought, saved) are adopted children of God. Those that are bought (redeemed) out from under the law (attempt at being good) are adopted by God The adopted are not taken in as part of the family of God, because they were good, but because they were redeemed (bought) out of sin. 2 Cor 6:18 "And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." God the Father claims the saved as adopted children. The Father of all Heaven and Earth will be a Father to His sons and daughters. How great is the thought that we are adopted children of the most loving, forgiving, merciful and earnest being in the universe. What is
the basis for adoption? Gal 3:29 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Those that are in Christ are part of the seed of Abraham and heirs to all that is promised to Abraham Being in Christ by faith is the prime mover to adoption (being an heir). If we have the same promises that Abraham did, then we can be greatly assured of our adoption, because Abraham made many mistakes and committed horrendous sins. Gal 4:5 "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Adoption is dependent upon being redeemed (bought). Adoption is of those who are bought out of the law, not of those that keep the law. Christ did the buying and does the keeping. If we were adopted by keeping the law, then we would have to remain under the law and could not be redeemed out of it, leaving us unredeemed, also. John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" Those that have placed their trust (believe) in Jesus (the name of the Savior) have received Him and have been given the power to be adopted of God. Adoption has nothing to do with keeping the law. Adoption is accomplished for the adoptees who have helplessly placed their faith in Christ. Much hope is had by those that don't have to do anything to be saved or stay that way, but are simply kept by the Heavenly Father. Peace is a result of Adoption Rom 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." We do not receive a fear but a peace in being adopted of God, whom we cry out to as Father. There is a peacefulness in not being of the devil but of the Father. Peace through adoption assures our security. Witness of the Holy Ghost is a result of Adoption Rom 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" The Holy Spirit tells our spirit that we are the children of God. If your spirit tells you (soul) that you are a child of God then you have this information by way of the Holy Spirit. The lost are often given a false confidence that all are part of the family of God. This is usually based on some goodness that they think they possess. Your realization must be based on an inner witness, proving you are a child of God. Correction is a result of Adoption Heb 12:7 "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" Prov 3:12 "For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." God corrects (chastens) His children because He loves them. Those that are corrected by God in a loving manner are being led to believe that they are sons of God. When we are corrected (chastened) we can be assured of salvation. God does not correct the children of the devil. We know the Jews are the chosen (elect) but how do the Gentiles fit it? Grafted into God's Family is a result of Adoption Rom 11:17 "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;" Gentiles (wild olive branches) are grafted in to the tree (Christ) where the Jews were broken off. Jews were broken off as a nation, but can be saved as individuals. It is uplifting to realize we have a place with God, not as natural sons (Jews) but as adopted sons (Gentiles). Fellowheirs to the Father is a result of Adoption Eph 3:6 "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" The Gentiles (non-Jews) can now be fellowheirs with the Old Testament Jews and of the same body (Christ) and receive the same promises. Many of the promises to the Jews we can have also, not as sons, but adopted sons (fellowsheirs). Gentiles should take gratification in knowing they have a place in God's promises. The process of adoption even makes it sweeter.
When will the
promised adoption be complete? Rom 8:23 "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." An uneasiness resides within us as we wait for the adoption to be complete, which will be at the redemption of our body. The soul was redeemed at salvation, the body will be redeemed when it is glorified. This will be at the Rapture of the Church. Since adoption is presently incomplete on this earth and our understanding is fragmented, we sometimes doubt that it has ever taken place.
G. Steven Andres
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