The Doctrine of Adoption

I. The Eternal Fountain of Adoption: God's Gracious Predestination

Ephesians 1:5 NKJV

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Notice how this verse is structured. First, we must be adopted. But why was that adoption necessary? Because we were the children of Satan. Ephesians 2:3

Ephesians 2:3 NKJV

3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Second, our adoption was predestined. But what does predestined mean? Predestined means to decide and determine beforehand. So, God decided before the Lord Jesus ever came, that He would adopt us to be His own children? But how would He do that? It says, “By Jesus Christ to Himself.” And why would He do that? Is it because He knew we would choose Him or because He thought we had something to offer Him? No, the text says He did this, “According to the good pleasure of His will.”

Now, last time we discussed that God looks at us and has declared us righteous because Jesus died to forgive us of our sins. That means that God, as Judge views us as innocent. But that doesn’t mean that we are close with the judge. It just means we are innocent as far as the Law is concerned. But this doctrine teaches us that not only has God declared you innocent like a Judge, but He has made us His own children and is our Father.

So, Adoption reveals that God not only saves us from something (wrath) but for something (sonship).

II. The Experience of Adoption.

Romans 8:15–16 NKJV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

First, we have a longing to call out to God.

Second, we have the privilege of God calling out to us. How does He do that? (Story of thinking we lost Ella by miscarriage and Ps 113:3).

III. The Privileges of Adoption.

In the Roman world, being adopted was special. It meant that someone important had chosen to love you and adopted you to be an heir to his name and riches and that’s exactly what Paul wants us to understand too. God adopted us because He chose to love us and He adopted us so that we’d bear His name and receive His riches.

Present Privileges:

Intimate access to the Father Gal. 4:6-7

Galatians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Fatherly care and discipline (Heb. 12:5-7

Hebrews 12:5–7 NKJV

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Identity and dignity as God’s children (1 John 3:1

1 John 3:1 NKJV

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Future Privileges:

Inheritance of the new heavens and earth. 1 Peter 1:3-4

1 Peter 1:3–4 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

VI. The Implications of Adoption: We Live as Sons and Daughters

We are called to imitate our Father (Eph. 5:1)

We are to pursue holiness as children of God (1 Pet. 1:14–16)

We are to love the family of God as fellow children (1 John 3:10–18)

We are to hope in our future glory (1 John 3:2–3)

Sons resemble their Father. Adoption doesn't lead to passivity but loving obedience. We used to live like our former father, the Devil. But since God saved us, He gave us His nature so that we might live in righteousness.

Illustration: Like Mephibosheth seated at David’s table (2 Sam. 9), so the believer is lifted from shame and seated with the King.