For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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 8:14
When I think of the word adoption immediately an adorable little black baby comes to mind, in desperate need of a home. My heart yearns to hold that baby and give him a home full of love. Wrap him in the love of Jesus and teach him to spend his life desiring Christ and Glorifying Him in any way possible. Somehow a chubby, cute, baby of colour is the first thing that pops into my mind, but there are all kinds of adoption. It is a sweet, amazing concept; to be adopted into a family. For that child to grow up knowing they were CHOSEN and are loved.
I discovered recently that in ancient day roman culture, the time when Paul wrote the book of Romans, adoption often meant something different. It was often a grown man being adopted and it was an absolute honour. It indicated in some cases, that they would be adopted into a home and become Heirs, and the one to carry down the family name. That the family had bore no sons, or the son wasn’t suitable and a disgrace to the family. To be chosen by a family for adoption to receive the full rights of a son, was a great honour.
I had never really thought twice when it talks about adoption in the bible. When it mentions we are adopted into God’s family and now are co-heirs with Christ. But coming to understand the doctrine of adoption has helped me understand how amazing and beautiful the gospel is. How precious that God chose us to be adopted Sons and Daughter of HIS FAMILY.
A quote from The Daily Grace Company from their study book “ROMANS- The Gospel of Grace” explains it well:
We have not been justified to live like slaves, but like sons. The life of a slave or hired worker is one of instability. It is one of working to prove one’s worth. The spirit of slavery is the attitude that we must try to earn God’s love and favour. It is the disposition that leads people to try to work for their salvation. But we can never earn salvation. It can only be acquired as an unmerited gift from our gracious God. The slavery of sin has been broken and we are now the sons and daughters of God. We do not have a spirit of slavery, but instead we have the Spirit of ADOPTION. We have been adopted by God and made CHILDREN of our Heavenly Father. The doctrine of adoption is a truth that we can rest secure in. Our adoption declares our election. We are the chosen, children of God.
HOW BEAUTIFUL. Doesn’t that just make you wanna sing on the roof tops about our GRACIOUS and HOLY Lord? How sweet that He chose us to be His own children and loves us with a boundless love. Our assurance is rooted in our adoption and our adoption is rooted in our election. (The Daily Grace Co.)
…Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for Adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the Praise of His Glorious Grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:4-6
This just melts my heart. Our God is so good you guys. If you don’t know Him, I suggest you find a bible and SEEK HIM. He loves all who believe in Him SO deeply He sent His only son to die, so we could be reconciled again. How sweet that a Holy God could love us sinners so deeply that He would cleanse us and start the process of SANCTIFYING us to be like HIM. He calls us His children and when one becomes part of a family through adoption do they not, slowly over time BECOME like the family they were adopted into? PRAISE GOD. HE IS WORTHY TO BE WORSHIPED EVERY MOMENT. How amazing we can call Him FATHER.