Adoption

Introduction

When we hear the word "adoption," we often think of a family welcoming a child into their home, making that child legally and relationally their own. It's a beautiful picture of love and belonging. In the Bible, the concept of spiritual adoption reveals an even more profound truth: God, in His infinite grace, chooses to bring believers into His own family, granting us all the rights, privileges, and blessings of His children. This isn't merely a change in legal status, but a deep, intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe.

I. The Divine Initiative: God's Purpose to Adopt

Our adoption into God's family is not something we earn or initiate; it is entirely God's gracious plan from eternity past. He chose us before we even knew Him.

God's Predestined Love: "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure" (Ephesians 1:4-5, NLT).

Imagine a wealthy and loving king with no heirs. He surveys his entire kingdom, not choosing someone based on their wealth or influence, but purely out of his benevolent will, he selects a forgotten orphan from the poorest village to be legally declared his own son, with all the rights and future inheritance of a natural-born prince. This is a faint echo of God's sovereign choice to adopt us.

The Fulfillment in Christ: God sent His Son, Jesus, to make this adoption possible. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV). Jesus' life, death, and resurrection paid the price for our sin, making a way for us to be reconciled to God and welcomed into His family.

A.W. Tozer profoundly stated, "The moment the Spirit of adoption is shed abroad in our hearts, we cry, 'Abba, Father,' and know ourselves to be sons. We are not merely forgiven; we are sons." This highlights that adoption is more than just forgiveness; it's a new relational status. 

II. The New Identity: Children and Heirs

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are given a new identity and an unbreakable relationship with God. We are no longer alienated from Him but are His beloved children.

The Right to Become Children: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12, ESV). This is a divine declaration, not a mere title.

Consider a person who was once a runaway, living in destitution and fear, constantly looking over their shoulder. Then, a loving family finds them, not only offering them a home but legally making them a part of their family. This person now carries the family name, has a place at the table, and knows they are unconditionally loved and protected. This new identity radically changes everything about their existence.

Intimacy with "Abba, Father": The Holy Spirit confirms our adoption within our hearts, allowing us to approach God with the intimacy and trust of a child. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV). "Abba" is an Aramaic term of endearment, like "Daddy."

Charles Spurgeon spoke to this intimacy, saying, "To be a child of God! To be really his child! It is to be born again, to be like Christ, to be made partaker of the divine nature." He emphasized the transformative nature of this relationship.

Joint Heirs with Christ: As adopted children, we are granted all the privileges and inheritance that belong to God's natural Son, Jesus Christ. "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17, ESV). "So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God" (Galatians 4:7, ESV).

III. The Future Hope: The Fullness of Our Adoption

While we experience the blessings of adoption now, there is a future dimension to this truth that believers eagerly anticipate.

Our adoption will be fully realized when we receive our glorified bodies at Christ's return. "And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23, NLT). This speaks to the ultimate transformation and liberation from the effects of sin and death.

Conclusion

The doctrine of adoption is a profound comfort and assurance for evangelical Christians. It reminds us that we are deeply loved, eternally secure, and belong to the very family of God. This incredible gift is made possible only through the person and work of Jesus Christ. If you have not yet placed your faith in Him, understand that God offers this adoption to all who repent of their sin and believe in His Son. When you turn from your sin and trust in Jesus, you are not only forgiven but welcomed into the eternal family of God with all the privileges of a beloved child. This is grace beyond measure, demonstrating God's boundless love for His children (1 John 3:1).