I love to sing the song “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God …”. Every born-again believer has the privilege of being a member of God’s family. This process is known as adoption, which occurs at salvation and is the method whereby the sinner enters the family of God. Adoption does not appear in the Old Testament and occurs only five times in the New Testament.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
Adoption can be viewed as a two-fold action. First of all, an adopted child of God is taken out of the family of Satan. Secondly, the individual is placed into the family of God.
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 3:25-26)
All believers are sons of God, but there is only one begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ. Begotten means only born, and Christ is the only human that was ever born without man. We no longer need intermediaries to intercede on our behalf. God is waiting and longing to hear from us. Also, there can be only one God the Son, that has lived in eternity past with God the Father. Even though the Christian’s entrance into God’s family is through adoption, this does not preclude the believer from enjoying and participating in all of the rights to which a natural-born child is entitled. Let’s examine some adoption rights that we receive from the Lord.
1. RIGHT OF PRAYER/FELLOWSHIP
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
As God’s child, we have direct access to Him. We no longer need intermediaries to intercede on our behalf. God is waiting and longing to hear from us.
2. SPECIAL PROVISIONS OF GOD
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matthew 6:31, 32)
Just as a dad earnestly meets and provides for the needs of his children, so God is attentive to our necessities as well as our desires.
3. HELP OF THE LORD
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Our hope need not reside in man, as our heavenly Father promises to hear our cries and pleas for help and deliverance.
4. CHASTENING
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Hebrews 12:6)
At the moment it is taking place, chastening may not seem pleasant, but Hebrews 12:11 teaches us that God’s rod of correction brings peace and righteousness into our lives.
5. JOINT HEIR WITH CHRIST
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:16, 17)
What an awesome and wonderful thought to realize that we are joint-heirs with Christ! What the natural-born Son receives, so does the adopted son. As these verses teach, this includes glory as well as suffering.
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Lankford Oxendine, GSBC Vice President
Bro. Oxendine serves as the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Golden State Baptist College. He has been teaching at GSBC since 2001. He also teaches the College Sunday school class at NVBC.
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