Adoption

ADOPTION —  the giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth.


An act of God’s grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an interest in God’s peculiar love (John 17:23; Rom. 5:5–8), a spiritual nature (2 Pet. 1:4; John 1:13), the possession of a spirit becoming children of God (1 Pet. 1:14; 2 John 4; Rom. 8:15–21; Gal. 5:1; Heb. 2:15), present protection, consolation, supplies (Luke 12:27–32; John 14:18; 1 Cor. 3:21–23; 2 Cor. 1:4), fatherly chastisements (Heb. 12:5–11), and a future glorious inheritance (Rom. 8:17,23; James 2:5; Phil. 3:21).

Seven years ago adoption became very clear to me when my wife and I adopted our first son. When you adopt a child you soon find out how wonderful the gift of adoption is.  You also find out how much choice the person being adopted really has.  The adopted child is in the position that they must trust that the person which adopted them will supply all there needs.

When Christ says we are adopted, why do we  believe we are making a decision to give our lives to Christ.  Through the Holy Spirit Christ comes to us and shows us what is keeping us from our Father. This separations is something we are born with. Sin separates us from our Father. Through that sin we tell our Father he is dead to us.  That's right the sin in our life is telling our Father God that we don't need him and we can control our own lives. Yet as the Holy Spirit calls on our heart to show us our sin we ask that same question the prodigal son did,  if I do this I will... The decision we must make is not if we are going to accept Jesus into our heart. The decision we think we must make is not a decision at all, it is a trust issue. On that Cross, Christ did not only give us his inheritance He did everything which was needed to be able to enjoy being part of Gods family.  Just like any family you must trust that your parents will supply your needs in everything you do.  Christ is very clear that we should have a child like faith. This is not say we should be a child but trust that Christ has supply all our need.  This give us the ability to be able to enjoy what God has given us and through this trust we are able to show that love to others.

Thank you Lord for the Gift of adoption, both through your Son Christ and the ability to take care of one of your precious children.  I love you Son.