Biblical Reflections on Adoption

Romans 8:12-17 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 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!”

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs— heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

J. I. Packer in Knowing God wrote this about adoption, “ J.I. Packer in Knowing God wrote this about adoption, “...The entire Christian life has to be understood in terms of it.”

I. The Biblical Doctrine

A. We are set free from bondage Formerly we were slaves to our own flesh and condemned by the law Christ did what we could never do. By the power of the Spirit we have now been made free We are to put to death the works of the flesh We are new people now

BUT THAT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE ME!!!!!

B. The Spirit of Adoption God does not want his children to be in fear. You are no longer slaves, but sons of God. You’re standing is secure because of your place in the family of God.

Adoption “God graciously and lovingly seeks out unworthy men and women on His own initiative and makes them His children.” – John MacArthur “God’s wrath having been stilled forever, we have been begotten to divine sonship of adoption into an official position in the family of God, we may now turn to our Heavenly Father with all calmness and with the full confidence that He cannot turn us away.” – Donald Grey Barnhouse

As God’s children, we are no longer bound by fear. We have a new relationship we never had before. You were chosen and accepted by God (Ephesians 1) The God who knows all things, including your faults and failures, chose you to be in His family. This is the basis of good works, not the result of them.

Benefits of adoption (based on john frame’s list, systematic theology, page 976) You have a secured place in the Family of God You have confidence in prayer (Rom 8:27, Mat 6:9) You have a Father who wants to take care of you. (Mat 6:9, I Peter 5:7) You have loving discipline (Heb 12:5-10) You have brothers and sisters to help and encourage (I Tim 5:1-2) You have something to look forward to – an inheritance (Rom 8:17)

II. Biblical Examples

old testament Illustrations Moses Esther Mephibosheth

New testament realities Ephesians 2 We were - sons of disobedience, children of wrath God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (4-6) We were - Separated, alienated, strangers And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (7-19)

Galatians 4 we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (6-7) The son of the slave (Hagar) vs. the son the free woman (Sarah) So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. (28)

III. Practical Application

Psalm 68:5 - Father of the fatherless and protector of widows, is God in his holy habitation. James 1:27 - Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the World. The word visit comes from the Greek word episkopos, usually used in the New Testament to describe a pastor or overseer. This means to take pastoral care. It is the idea of meeting needs physical and spiritual.

Adoption is a reflection of the heart of God. Why would anyone want to take in a troubled child with unknown baggage? Because God loves me despite of my troubles and baggage. Why would anyone want to deal with a broken child who may never be “normal”? Because God loves me despite my brokenness and my seeming hopelessness.

Adoption is a picture of our very own salvation. God loves you because of who He is, not because of who you are. Your standing before God is grounded in the work of Christ, not your works or lack of them. You are fellow heirs with Christ Himself, not rivaled by anyone.

I’m not worthy to be here, but praise God, I belong!