Adoption: a change of family – in God (Galatians 4:1-7)
“…And I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My SONS and DAUGHTERS, saith the Lord Almighty.”
(2 Corinthians 6:17-18) (John 1:12)
Definition of the term: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace whereby believers (i.e. those born again of the Spirit of God) are received into the number of (i.e. or family of) God; and have a right LAWFULLY to all the privileges of the sons and daughters of God. (Romans 8:14-17)
We thus cease to be sin-enslaved children of Devilish disobedience to God; and are ADOPTED into God’s family – through God’s grace, and Christ’s Victory Atonement for us at the Cross of Calvary. (John 8:44) (Ephesians 2:1-3) (Romans 8:4-18) (Ephesians 2:13-22) (Galatians 4:5-6)
(Hebrews 4:14-16)
Adoption: Adoption ensures us that we believers are thereafter PITIED; PROTECTED, AND PROVIDED FOR – by our Heavenly Father. (Psalm 103:13-14) (Proverbs 14:26) (Matthew 6:30-34) (1 Peter 5:7)
Of course, it also means we are often CHASTENED when we stray, as a loving Father would chasten His own beloved children. What grace! What Fatherly love! (Hebrews 12:5-14) (Revelation 3:19) (1 John 1:8-10)
Adoption: Adoption means that we are NEVER cast off from the family of God! (John 6:37) (Lamentations 3:31-33)
We are rather SEALED, by the Sovereign Spirit unto the day of full redemption of the body as well as the soul and the spirit.
(Romans 8:18-25) (1 Corinthians 15:51) (1 John 3:2) (Ephesians 4:30) (Ephesians 2:10-14) (Daniel 6:16-17)
We are sealed; safe; and forever secure – in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! What Eternal security we have in our Saviour!
Adoption: Adoption means assurance of EVERLASTING SALVATION! (1 Peter 1:2-5) Even the angels of God are sent to minister to unto we who are God-chosen heirs of Salvation. Hell’s legions cannot prevail against us! Praise God it is so! (Hebrews 1:14) (Matthew 16:18)
Adoption: Adoption means all true believers become LEGAL inheritors of God’s promises – in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
(Hebrews 6:12-20)
We become, in fact, “…joint-heirs…” of all God’s treasures and Kingdom – with Christ Jesus, the Son of God Himself! Riches indeed! Oh, the infinite goodness of God! (Romans 8:15-17)
Adoption: Adoption is an act of God – not a PROCESS! God is God, and He does what He wants to do, He is not hindered by our infirmities at all. (Psalm 115:3) (Ephesians 1:11)
Adoption: Adoption is completed at once, and is conferred by the Lord upon all true believers equally when God saves us. (Galatians 3:24-29)
God’s grace alone provokes this act of God towards we who deserve only Hell and its torments forever. Now, this is something for believers to get excited about! (Ephesians 2:8-10) (Ephesians 1:4-5) (1 John 3:1)
This adoption is carried out on the merits of Christ’s redemptive Atonement on the Cross, and His righteousness alone! (Isaiah 61:10) (1 Peter 1:18-19) (Romans 3:10) (Romans 3:22b-23)
We have no righteousness of our own, in our natural state we are Spiritually bankrupt. (Isaiah 64:6) (Romans 3:10)
Conclusion: We give much respect and praise to a mere mortal who, in his/her human compassion, sees fit to adopt an orphan child – to give the child a home, and make it the legal inheritor of the family possessions.
How much more should we believers now, in the Scriptural light and knowledge of God’s doctrine of Spiritual Adoption, give sincere and heartfelt reverence, and willing worship, and praise – plus thankful service – to the great Father of all who, in faith, possess Jesus as their Saviour and Lord? (James 1:17) Glory to God on High! (Romans 16:27)
This therefore is the Scriptural doctrine of Adoption. Let us rejoice in its knowledge and its Biblically proven truth. Amen.