Children of God: Embracing Our Adoption

Introduction

Last week we discussed moving away from the flesh that no longer controls you and towards the spirit. Today's passage from Romans 8 expands on that concept, revealing the incredible truth that through Christ, we have been adopted into God's eternal family as His beloved children! We don’t end as slaves we end as coheirs with Jesus Christ, Adopted into the family of God.

Romans 8:12–17

Romans 8:12–17 CSB

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

From Fear to Freedom

Romans 8:12-14

Paul Begins by reminding us that we are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh, which leads to death.

Instead, by the Spirit's power, we can put to death the deeds of the body and experience true life!

This embodies our journey from being enslaved to fear and sin towards the glorious freedom we have in Christ.

The pivotal transition occurs when we are led by God's Spirit to become His sons and daughters.

No longer are we fatherless orphans, but we have the Most High God as our perfect Heavenly Father!

Just as adopted children leave behind their old family to belong fully to the new, so we are called to abandon our old orphan mindset of alienation from God.

Adoption in Rome

Can I take a moment to teach.

When you hear the word adoption what is the first thing that comes to mind. Anne, its primarily focused on providing homes for children that are not in safe places. There is no required severing of birth family ties unless there is an abuse situation and even then.

Adoption in Rome was different

In Rome Adult adoption was very common. It was a way in which family lineage and inheritance would be passed on when a man had no one to pass it on too or no one they wanted to pass it on to. If there was a son it was an insult often to bring some one else into the picture.

When a Roman adopted a son, all prior legal ties to the birth family were completely severed. The adopted son's rights and obligations transferred fully to the new adoptive family.

Patriarchal Authority Roman adoption laws gave the adoptive father full patriarchal authority and power over the adopted son, just as over a biological son. The adopted son was under the legal control of his new father.

Inheritance Rights One of the primary purposes was for the adopted son to gain full rights of inheritance from his adoptive father, including wealth and status.

Social Mobility Adoption allowed lower class individuals to be brought into aristocratic families, giving them upward social mobility they could not achieve otherwise.

Spirit of Slavery to Sonship

Romans 8:15

So when Paul says that we made unto sonship or adopted into the family. It means that we have the full legal transference into the family of God. We are no longer tied to the old ways. We are God’s Children and that does come with responsibility.

You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but the very Spirit of adoption! The Holy Spirit affirms our new identity, giving us the boldness to cry out "Abba! Father!" Fear, insecurity and timidity have no place for God's own children.

We have been sovereignly adopted by God according to His will.

Just as Roman adoption laws granted full rights of sonship, so we have received the privileges and inheritance of being co-heirs with Christ Himself. The indwelling Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our sacred adoption, testifying together with our spirits that we belong eternally to God's family.

Heirs of Hope and Glory

Romans 8:16-17

Since we are God's children, we are also His heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!

This means we have been included in the family forever, destined to share in Christ's own glory that the Father gave Him. What an astounding privilege!

Yet just as Christ's glory came through suffering, so we too are called to share in His sufferings.

This is not cause for fear, but for confident hope!

For if we endure with Christ, we will also be glorified with Him. By the Spirit's power, we are being conformed daily into Christ's likeness with ever-increasing glory.

Next Steps

Brothers and sisters, you are children of God! Embrace every aspect of this blessed identity sculpted by the grace of adoption. Live rooted in the security, privileges, and power you have as a dearly loved son or daughter of the King. Leave behind the old patterns of fear, slavery and alienation.

By the Spirit's leading, display daily the family resemblance of your perfect Heavenly Father.

For you are no longer fatherless, no longer slaves to sin and fear, but cherished forever as God's own heirs through the work of Christ!

What a glorious truth to celebrate and live out.

Let us walk boldly in this reality as the adopted children of God.

Bibliography

W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.

Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Brown, Derek R., Miles Custis, and Matthew M. Whitehead. Ephesians. Edited by Douglas Mangum. Lexham Research Commentaries. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013.

Brown, Derek R., and E. Tod Twist. Romans. Edited by Douglas Mangum. Lexham Research Commentaries. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Brannan, Rick, ed. Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020.

Questions?

What is the pivotal transition mentioned in Romans 8:12–17 that believers experience?

According to the sermon, how does the Spirit of adoption give believers the confidence to cry out 'Abba! Father!'?

How does the concept of adoption in Roman society help believers understand their relationship with God as adopted children?

How can believers display the family resemblance of their perfect Heavenly Father in their daily lives, according to the sermon?

In what ways can believers leave behind the old patterns of fear, slavery, and alienation and embrace their identity as children of God, as encouraged in the sermon?

What privilege do believers have as adopted children of God, according to Romans 8:16-17?

What does the Spirit affirm in believers through the adoption as children of God, as mentioned in the sermon?

How does the suffering believers may experience as co-heirs with Christ contribute to their growth and identity as children of God?

What does it mean to walk boldly as an adopted child of God, as emphasized in the sermon?

How can teens embrace their identity as children of God and live confidently in their relationship with Him, according to the sermon?

What is the significance of believers being called 'co-heirs with Christ,' as explained in the sermon?

How does the Spirit of adoption help believers overcome fear, insecurity, and timidity, as mentioned in the sermon?

Why is it important for children to understand that they are part of God's family and have a secure identity as His children, based on the sermon?

How can children demonstrate that they are cherished as God's heirs in their words and actions, according to the sermon?

What steps can children take to live out their identity as adopted children of God with boldness and confidence in their daily lives?

Social

Summary: In Romans 8:12–17, the Apostle Paul explains that as believers, we are no longer under slavery to fear but have received the Spirit of adoption as children of God.

Application: This passage reminds Christians that they are part of God's family, with all the rights, privileges, and security that come with being His children. It encourages believers to live confidently in their identity as children of God, knowing that they are loved, accepted, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Teaching: The teaching in this sermon centers on the assurance and security that believers have in their relationship with God. It emphasizes the transformation that takes place when someone is adopted into God's family and the new identity they receive in Christ.

How this passage could point to Christ: The theme of adoption as children of God ties back to the Old Testament understanding of God as the Father of Israel and forward to Jesus Christ, who through His sacrificial death and resurrection, made it possible for all believers to be adopted into God's family.

Big Idea: Believers are no longer slaves to fear but have been lovingly adopted into God's family, receiving the full rights and privileges that come with being His children.

Recommended Study: To deepen your understanding of adoption as a theme in the Bible, explore resources in your Logos library that delve into the cultural and legal aspects of adoption in biblical times. Additionally, study the concept of sonship in the context of Roman society during the New Testament era to better grasp the significance of being adopted as heirs of God.