Adoption

As Christians, we are adopted children of God.  This is an interesting relationship in that we aren't the born children of God, but have to be adopted in.  Let's look at a few Bible passages that talk about this adoption principle.

Galatians 4:4, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."  We aren't actual descendants, aren't blood kin, aren't direct descendants of Abraham.  But previous verses say that we are "heirs,"  heirs according to promise, that is, according to the promise that God made to Abraham in Gen. 12, that all the world would be blessed through his seed, Jesus.  This is stressed at the end of Hebrews 11, the faith chapter: "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them (OT characters) received what had been promised.  God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

John 1:12, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Romans 8:14, "..those who are led by the Spririt of God are sons of God.....The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."

Those of us who have been involved with adoption know that an adopted child is very special.  It really can't be fully described, put into words.  This is the effect that we see with being adopted into God's family.  It truly is a blessing, one that almost goes beyond description.  It is powerful, it is special, it is amazing.  We are God's children!

Have a great week.  Feel the love!