The Odyssey of the Adoption of the Sons of God
Every person born is born into a family. In the community of humanity, some are born to privilege, while others are born to poverty. There is another family, the family of God. As it pertains to deity, there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Holy Trinity).
In the eternal counsel of God, He predetermined the adoption of some people into His family (Eph 1:4-5). By ordaining the fall of humanity (Gen 3), Adam’s relationship with God was estranged, and the first man was banished from the garden of God at Eden. He and his posterity were foul and an offense to God (Ezek 16:6). At the cross, the second Adam, Jesus Christ re-established man’s right relationship with God as His Father (Mt 17:5; Mk 1:11).
The promise of the restoration resounded in the covenant words, “I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Lev 26:12);” “‘And I will be a Father to you. And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty (2 Cor 6:16, 18).” Considering we were all born into a rebel family, at enmity with God, being children of wrath (Eph 2:3)…adoption is simply breathtaking. Adoption is the gracious act of God that brings the vilest offenders into His own family.
God is eternal, and in His eternal decree, He predestined His elect to salvation (Eph 1:4-5), by His gracious choice (Rom 11:5). This salvation has many features, one of them being this idea of adoption. We are not sons and daughters, as Christ Jesus is the only begotten of God the Father (Jn 3:16). Rather, our kinsman Redeemer has brought us out of slavery for a price (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23). He paid our ransom (Mt 20:28), in order to bring many sons to glory (Heb 2:10).
The evidence of spiritual adoption is regeneration by the Holy Spirit of adoption (Rom 8:15–16). He has come to us, and He caused us to be born again, that is, to be born of God (Jn 1:13; 3:5; 1 Pet 1:3). It is a stunning entitlement to call God, “Abba,” our Father (Gal 4:6).
We have left the domain of darkness, by His Spirit transferring us to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13). Christians see the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3), a reality in the Spirit (Rom 14:17), and He causes us to enter the kingdom (Jn 3:5), not as slaves, but as children and heirs of God (Rom 8:17).
Assurance is the witness work of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:15–16). We are co-heirs with Christ, given an inheritance in heaven (1 Pet 1:4), reserved for us. The Holy Spirit is the very token, the pledge of the glories to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18; Eph 1:14).
What manner of love is this (1 Jn 3:1)? Adoption comes from the love of God. It also comes with the love of God.
God shows no partiality (Dt 1:17; 10:17). He has willed to take sons from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9). These who have been scattered abroad are being gathered into one body, the family of God, being the children of God (Jn 11:52; 1 Pet 2:9).
The reprobate have no interest in these matters, except to hinder the adoption process, being children of the devil (1 Jn 3:10), and doing their father’s bidding (Jn 8:44). Their primary labors are to add confusion, by spinning lies and distractions.
Sinful men have an appetite for evil (Jn 3:19), and their love of sin means they must be wrested from their attainted affections. God is patient and kind with His blind elect. When Philip requested that Jesus show them the Father (Jn 14:8), Jesus marveled, but He was not moved.
Adoption is a legal act. It is judicial and binding upon the Father, but it is hardly perceived as a cold act of necessity. It comes with innumerable privileges for the child.
A new nature comes with one’s new identity and new relationships (Rom 11:24). There is also a new view into the deep things of God (1 Cor 2:9–10), as one keeps his eyes on Jesus, who is authoring and perfecting faith, in the adopted beloved (Heb 12:2). It is the indwelling Spirit who graciously and gently returns our eyes to their proper object (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 4:6; 2 Tim 1:14), especially, when Satan distracts with various lusts (1 Jn 2:15–17).
The privileges of citizenship and patrimony are never to be flaunted in pride (Dan 4:37; Micah 6:8). Despite our new royal titles, we walk in humility, to the praise of His glorious grace (Eph 1:6). With the removal of our indigent status as strangers and aliens (Eph 2:19), we must embrace the sublime, by His gracious Spirit. Our inheritance is indefeasible, and our passion is for the sake of His Name, which is His glory (2 Chron 6:32; Ps 23:3; Mt 19:29; Acts 9:16; 3 Jn 1:7; Rev 2:3).
Christian, muse upon your adoption, and make your request for His sanctification into conformity to the holy character that matches the blessings of grace. Our Father and His Son have done great things, and by His Spirit, these things continue to be done. We are witnesses, moreover…sons of God.
David Norczyk
Post Falls, Idaho
April 23, 2022
