Adoption

Adoption

INTRODUCTION Regeneration begins the new life in the soul when it is born again by the Spirit.

Justification deals with the new attitude of God towards that soul.

Adoption admits man into the family of God with filial joy to our Father God.

Regeneration is a changed nature; justification is a changed standing; sanctification is a changed character; while adoption is a changed position. In regeneration the believer becomes a child of God; in adoption that child receives the position of an adult son; the baby or minor becomes an adult.

Galatians 4:5, "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. "

Galatians 4:7, "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Adoption is our growing up into Christ and occupying our new position.

Here are two questions for each of us to ponder:

Adoption is a Greek word which means, "the placing of a son."

Romans 8:15, "But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. " Ephesians 1:5, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ." In Bible times the word had a twofold meaning:

Until this ceremony was performed the child actually differed little from servants in the home. The word deals not with our relationship with God but our position before Him.

Adoption is the act of God whereby He places the justified believer as an adult son to enjoy the privileges and responsibilities of the position. In Exodus 2:1-25, Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter with all the rights and privileges of that position when he came of age. In Hebrews 11:24, Moses rejected his Egyptian position for something better, for, "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter."

Adoption has only one condition and that is to abide in Christ-union with Him.

Galatians 3:26, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." We do not have to wait until we have been a saint for one year or ten years, but immediately we enter into all the blessings of a fully recognized heir of God

Adoption is a gracious act on the part of God entirely of mercy, we do not deserve or merit this loving favour from a holy God

1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God . . ." Sonship is a present possession.

We can truthfully say, "I’m a child of the King," not His slave but His son and heir.

We are not mere children under maids and tutors but adult members of the family.

Romans 8:23, "... waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. "

Often in this world we are not recognized as sons of God. On that day we will occupy our rightful positions. Today we may be considered the offscouring of society.

Then we will throw off the disguise (this body) and put on the new body.

The sign of adoption is to be led by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.?

Guidance by the Holy Spirit is the path to sonship and the proof of sonship. The Holy Spirit guides the believer into the truth of God. John 16:13, "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.?

Galatians 5:18, "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law"; that is, you are delivered from the tutor and schoolmaster; you are free.

Romans 8:15, "But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. "

Galatians 4:6, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."

Mark 14:36, Jesus in Gethsemane prays, "Abba, Father." This is a special word of endearment, of close relationship.

"Abba", is Aramaic, the language of Christ’s childhood. "Father", is a Greek word, the language of the educated and learned of His day. A slave was never allowed to address his master as, "Abba".

Members of the Royal family of heaven must behave with becoming dignity.

We are to walk worthy of this high honour in keeping with our position.

We must love and serve one another as brothers and sisters in the same family.

John 13:14, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet."

John 15:17, "These things I command you, that ye love one another."

CONCLUSION As a child enjoys the free run of the house and the privileges of running into the Father’s presence at any time, so does the believer approach God’s presence.

Those who are adopted into the family of God are led by the Spirit of God.

Am I led by the Holy Spirit? Do I have a childlike confidence in my Father? Do I avail myself of this liberty of access into His very own presence? Do I love the brethren, the family of God, as I ought to?

Am I a filial son? Am I obedient to the commands that He has given me?

Let us leave our spiritual babyhood and assume our position of manhood in Christ.

We ought to possess our possessions and live as sons of God; heirs of God.

Sometimes when parents adopt a child they try to keep that fact a secret from their children lest they will feel less than a full son or daughter. The story is told of one child, who knew that he was adopted, and was being teased by another child, "You’re just an adopted child," with the inference that probably he was illegitimate or something. However, the child was proud of being adopted and replied, "Yes, I’m adopted. My parents chose me, picked me out of many babies. Your parents had to take what they got."

It is true that we are adopted into God’s family; He chose us, Praise His name.

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