Adoption as Sons *Part 1 ~ 2

Adoption as Sons *
*Part 1 of 2*
*by Dennis Hogg *
*
Scripture often uses symbolism to illustrate spiritual principles. As
with all Divine symbolism, the correspondence between the symbol and the
actual principle is perfect. For this reason we can thoroughly analyze a
symbol and thereby discover a deeper understanding of the spiritual
principle as long as we analyze the symbol as given and remain
consistent with the rest of Scripture.
Paul uses the Roman custom of adoption to illustrate the salvation and
resulting position of the believer. Adoption was a very common practice
as even a father's natural born children had to be adopted before they
became sons and heirs. This is illustrated in Galatians 4:1-7...
"Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at
all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under
guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we,
while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things
of the world. But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those
who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And
because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our
hearts crying, 'Abba' Father! Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a
son; and if a son, then an heir through God."
The characteristics here show us several things. The position of the
child before adoption is paralleled with that of a slave. The two terms
are so similar that they are almost completely interchangeable in this
metaphor. Slaves were like property since they had no control over their
own destiny. The child or slave had essentially no rights, and no power
with which to change that situation. The power to change the future for
a slave or child rested entirely with the father.
The father made the choice as to whom he would adopt. In many cases the
natural firstborn child was not necessarily the heir. A natural born
child may well expect that someday he would be adopted as a son, but a
slave would never have any reason to expect to become an heir. (By
working hard a slave could not merit adoption, because it was his duty
to work hard in the first place. See Luke 17:7-9) The father was
perfectly within his rights to adopt whomever he chose, and if a slave
was adopted this was an unrequired act of kindness on the part of the
father. Adopting one slave did not imply that the father had to adopt
any other slave.
The result of the adoption was a new relationship between the father and
the newly adopted son. This new closeness allows the son to call his
father "Abba". The use of this title, essentially equivalent to the
English "Daddy", was never permitted by a slave. The son was now also
the heir, and had a vast amount of rights and privileges that he would
otherwise not enjoy. The father-son relationship is also permanent. A
wife could be divorced, and a slave could be sold, but a son is a son
forever.
The metaphor of adoption illustrates Christian salvation perfectly. We
started out as slaves to sin. Galatians 4:7. ' We had no rights before
God. Even if we could have done good works these were never a reason why
God should save us. God chose to demonstrate His love and His kindness
in us and has saved us even though we were totally undeserving of this
kindness.
"To know the Word of God, to live the Word of God, to preach the Word,
to teach the Word, is the sum of all wisdom, the heart of all Christian
service."


Adoption as Sons*
*Part 2 of 2 *
*by Dennis Hogg *
*
"He predestined us to adoption as sons through Christ Jesus to Himself,
according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory
of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." Ephesians
1 :5,6
Just as with adoption, this choice lies entirely with the father and not
the sinner. Also, God is completely within His rights to save some and
to allow others to remain in sin. There is no injustice towards the
sinner, just as the slave who remains a slave is not mistreated. This
demonstrates the sovereignty of God.
This should impact the way we view ourselves before God. God chose us
because it pleased Him, not because we wanted to be saved, or because we
asked to be saved. (We were incapable of wanting or asking for this
salvation. Rom. 3:11; 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:4)
This unmerited adoption now puts us into a new relationship with our
Heavenly Father.
"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of
God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear
again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we
cry out, 'Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs
of God and fellow-heirs with Christ, if we indeed suffer with Him in
order that we may be glorified with Him. Romans 8:14-17
Now we can approach God and without fear approach Him as Father or
"Daddy". 'We are free to come into His presence and can talk with God on
this personal Father-son level.
Associated with the Father-son relationship is an inheritance. We cannot
even begin to imagine what God has in store for us.
"And has raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly
places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show
the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ
Jesus." Ephesians 2:6,7
God will use us as a showpiece throughout all eternity to demonstrate
how loving and kind He can be.
"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not
entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who
love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Any attempt to describe this would be futile.
Our position, in this inheritance is guaranteed. (Recall that once
adopted a son cannot be cast away,) Not only this, but "The Spirit
Himself bears witness with our spirit" (Romans 8:l6) that we are
adopted. Since the Holy Spirit is eternal, we have a witness forever
that we are sons and heirs of God the Father, Our position is as secure
as God is eternal.

*If Jesus is at the core of our*
* existence, that gives us an *
*identity much greater than *
*most Christians acknowledge! *