Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2018

indwells believers, testifying that the transcendent, holy, Creator of the universe is also the immanent, compassionate, “Abba! Father.” This was God’s plan from the beginning. The fall of Adam did not surprise our omniscient God. In the fullness of time, God sent his Son (Gal. 4:4) to redeem those He predestined for adoption through Jesus Christ. Adoption occurs “according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace” (Eph. 1:5–6a). THIRD, ADOPTION GRANTS US THE SPIRIT CONFIRMING OUR SALVATION. Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Scripture confirms that those led by the Spirit are adopted as sons, and vice versa. Those adopted as sons are led by the Spirit. As part of salvation, believers receive the Spirit, which confirms newly adopted sons as children of God. Romans 8:16 adds, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” One Saturday afternoon, I partially reclined in the La-Z- Boy, working on my laptop. My daughter walked up and said, “Sit in your lap, Daddy.” I laid the computer aside and cherished a 4-year-old little girl wanting to cuddle with Daddy. In a priceless moment, she snuggled her head on my shoulder with a faded, pink bear and tattered blanket in hand. Her blue eyes gazed into mine as she said, “I love you, Daddy.” Depressing the lump in my throat and holding back the developing tears in my eyes, I responded, “I love you more.” My daughter has never asked to see the adoption paperwork, call a judge, or look at a birth certificate bearing her name to understand that I am her “Daddy.” She simply knows. In like manner, we have no need of a “new birth” certificate nor papers of spiritual adoption. The Spirit renders such things useless as He testifies to our hearts that we are sons, and God almighty is our “Abba! Father.” You may or may not remember your spiritual birthday, just as I don’t remember my physical birth, but I know that I am alive. For those of us who believe, we have the Spirit in us, testifying of our salvation, combating the lies of the evil one trying to fill us with doubt by his accusations. Those who have repented of their sins and believed in Jesus are adopted into the forever family of their heavenly Father. This adoption as brothers and sisters leaves no room for economic, racial, or prejudice of any kind. We all equally kneel at the foot of the cross of King Jesus. FOURTH, ADOPTION TURNS ORPHANS INTO HEIRS. The Greek word orphanos occurs in James 1:27 and John 14:18 in the New Testament. James 1:27 stresses the importance of ministry to orphans as true and undefiled religion. In John 14:18, Jesus promises not to leave the disciples as orphans but will send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit calls the lost and regenerates responsive orphans into sons, and as sons, we become heirs. The designation of heirs makes the imagery of adoption as sons, in contrast to sons and daughters, essential. In the Jewish context, sons receive the birthright and the blessing, while daughters only had a relationship. In salvation, men and women are equally adopted into a relationship and as heirs. Galatians 4:7 states, “and if a son, then an heir through God.” 6 | Cedarville Magazine