In God’s family, every member other than Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16), is an adoptee. Which is staggering when you think of the size and diversity of God’s family. Heavenly and earthly adoption share a common method, occurring when someone legally becomes a full member of a family that is not theirs by birth. Here, biological heritage has little authority, only the will of those adopting carries any weight.
In biblical history, adoption was not uncommon, Moses was adopted into Pharaoh’s family as a baby (Exodus 2:10; Acts 7:21). Similarly, Mordecai took Esther as his own daughter (Esther 2:7). However, as wonderful as earthly adoption is, the magnitude of the believers adoption into our Heavenly Father’s eternal family shines brighter.
In the New Testament, adoption refers to God’s determinative act of making sinners His redeemed children. But to all who believed Him (Jesus) and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God (John 1:12-13 NLT). The matter of which spiritual family we belong to was taken out of our hands. God Almighty delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14).
Salvation not only forgives, cleanses of sin, and guarantees eternal life, but it actions a whole new identity that registers us as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). But even citizenship falls short of God’s purpose for salvation. He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-6). Yahweh’s highest purpose in salvation is to recreate dead sinners so that they would willingly be the praise of his glorious grace as His Beloved children.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear of continuing life separated from God, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons (daughters), by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15). Now, having been adopted, we are qualified and equipped by the Holy Spirit as loving children who affectionately want to express praise to our Heavenly Father. Every step of our salvation has been masterfully implemented with divine purpose so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:5).
As adopted children of Yahweh, His Only Son Jesus is now not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. For He (Jesus) who sanctifies and those who are sanctified (us) all have one source (The Father). That is why He (Jesus) is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name (The Father’s name) to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” Hebrews 2:11-12. This Jesus, whose name was once just a swear word to us, now has no hesitation in referring to us according to our new relationship with Him, as brother or sister. Jesus’ view of us has changed completely, from enemy to brother or sister.
As spiritually adopted children, we share the same desire that Jesus has, to praise our heavenly Father. What a humbling realisation! No longer detached, no longer alienated, no longer in denial and defiance, but in family. What a sweet transition, and it was totally actioned by the Lord! We only contributed our sin which crippled us into inability. But the Lord saved us! (Titus 3:4-7).
