Assured Adoption
The fleeting fancies of fake Christians are the telling tale of their hypocrisy. Joy is momentary. Prayer is arduous and avoided. Peace is proclaimed but destruction looms. True blessings can only flow from the shed blood of Christ (Eph 1:3, 7).
It is the Spirit of Christ that sprinkles His precious blood upon the objects of His love (Heb 12:24; 1 Pet 1:19. The token of glory is found in the blessings directly related to the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11; 2 Cor 5:5). The hypocrite thinks God has blessed him by giving him more of the world, but he is deluded. True, spiritual blessings are the fruit of the productive work of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–23).
Faith is the gift that apprehends the work of the Spirit. The Spirit gives faith (Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1; Jude 3), and the faithful hold all other blessings by it. The Spirit works every grace, and every grace is producing holiness (monergism).
The Spirit of adoption is the distinction among people (Rom 8:9, 11, 15, 23). One has the Spirit of God’s Son in him, while the other does not have the indwelling Spirit (Jn 10:26; 1 Jn 5:12). The one who has the Spirit belongs to Christ (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:23). It is the Spirit who made this one alive (Rom 8:11; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13), and who leads the adopted child into all truth (Jn 16:13).
It is the Spirit of truth employing the Word of truth to set the new man free from his bondage to sin (Jn 8:32; Rom 6:6). Grace now reigns, not sin, because Jesus Christ is Lord (Rom 5:21).
The adopted child of God suffers in his following in the footsteps of the man of sorrows (Is 53:3). He who increases in knowledge also increases in grief (Eccl 1:18). A pastor sees the state of his flock, and in his depression, he tries to whip them into shape. The flock rebels, “we will not have this man to rule over us!” The flesh and the devil secure a momentary victory as the man of God is cast out. He is replaced by a dramatist, an entertainer. Embittered, the man of God dismisses the wayward flock with disdain. Sin abounds. Still, God is working it all together for good (Rom 8:28).
Suffering is often the surprise of the saint. He reads about it in his Bible, but he is baffled when the Word comes alive in this unexpected way. There is comfort knowing the Healer was the One who ordained the wound. Insight comes as the wound heals, and the Spirit illumines the way of sanctification (1 Pet 1:2). Looking to Jesus, the scarred saint hears, “…if indeed we suffer with Him, we will be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17).”
The glories of adoption will surely outweigh this present suffering (Rom 8:18), whatever that may entail. We only see in part (1 Cor 13:12), but when we see Him as He is, we shall be like Him (1 Jn 3:2).
The confusion and uncertainty, now, will be erased with the clarity of the mind of Christ. The temptations and pains of the fleshly body will be no more when the glorified body is raised imperishable and immortal (Rom 8:30; 1 Cor 15:53–54). The distorted affections of the heart will be nothing but purity and light.
Waiting for the manifestations of all sons of God causes the creation to groan (Rom 8:22), but God is patient, not wanting any of His beloved elect to perish (2 Pet 3:9). The evangelist has no onerous burden, in bearing witness of God’s glorious grace toward sinners. The evangelist is preparing himself for the glory to come, in telling others of God’s grace toward him. Wise men win souls and reap joy that strengthens them. Those who boast in the Lord grow stronger and stronger (1 Cor 1:31), as they mature in the Word, and in the experiences they have with the Spirit’s work in them and through them.
Assurance of adoption is mere recognition of the Spirit, who bears witness with the believer’s spirit (Rom 8:16). The witness is sonship. The son loves the letter written to him, for him. The promises and all the blessings are his in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 1:20). He believes because He knows the promises are true and the blessings are real. He knows the truth because of the Holy Spirit is willing and doing God’s good pleasure in His adopted child (Jn 8:32; Phil 2:13).
Evidence upon evidence abounds in the Spirit, despite zero recognition by the world (1 Jn 3:1). Blessings in the Spirit flow to the child whom the Father loves (1 Jn 4:19). Because blessings are spiritual, they are unknown to the world (1 Cor 2:12). The world does not know the child of God, nor the child’s Father (Jn 1:10; 14:17; 17:25). If blessings are from the Holy Spirit, then the adopted child should never fear their removal. Sin may temporarily hinder the flow of blessings, but the fountain flows without interruption in her direction. God is faithful to bring to completion the good work He has started in His child (Phil 1:6).
The rapture of the Christian is not some distant event to escape promised suffering in the world; rather, rapture means being caught up together with Christ in the Spirit, who has come to each adopted son and daughter. These are the children of God who call Him, “Father.” They delight in learning the terms of their adoption, found in the Bible, and they count their recognizable blessings one by one. Joy abounds in the midst of suffering (Jas 1:3).
Christian, you were bought for a price (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23), and you have been given the gift of God (Acts 2:38; 10:45). Remember your baptism. Eat the Lord’s provisions and drink in His gracious providence. Visit His embassy house (local church) often and enjoy His love, as you patiently await the finalization of your adoption. It is assured.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 21, 2022
