So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
– Romans 8:12-17
In love he predestined us for adoption 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 1:4-5
Adoption is essential for salvation. Unfortunately, the doctrine of adoption is not held as highly as election or justification and is often times neglected by pastors and teachers. Here we will define adoption and explain why it is necessary for salvation. Lets look at the Westminster Confession of Faith for a good definition of adoption:
All those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a Father: yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.
Adoption is necessary for believers because they are all sinners (Rom 3:23) and because of this sin they are children of the devil (Eph 2:1-3). Through Christ alone believers have redemption for their sins and can become sons or heirs of God (Gal 4:4-5). Those that are justified (those who believe in Christ) receive power to become sons of God from Christ Himself (John 1:12). When a believer has this saving faith and becomes a child of God, God becomes his Father and places His name on that believer (2 Cor 6:18). He then receives the spirit of adoption and is no longer a slave of fear (Rom 8:15). Now he can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence and have access to the Father because he is a child of God and not a child of disobedience (Eph 3:12). Since he now has the spirit of adoption, he is able to cry out to God saying, “Abba, Father,” (Gal 4:6) and God will have pity on him (Ps 103:13), will protect him (Prov 14:26), will provide for him (Matt 6:30-32) and will punish or discipline him (Heb 12:6) as a Father would his son. Once a believer is adopted into God’s family he can never leave nor will God forsake him even if he sins (Lam 3:31-33). Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance, when they are adopted (Eph 1:13-14). This inheritance is incorruptible and is eternal life for all those that are justified (1 Pet 1:4).
As is evident through the Westminster Confession of Faith and the churches understanding of adoption this doctrine is very important. There are also many privileges of being adopted into God’s family. The biggest and most important privilege of being adopted is the inheritance that we will receive. We say “will receive” because Christ has not come back and we have yet to receive our heavenly inheritance, which is sonship and eternal life. Besides sonship and eternal life, we, as adopted children, can approach God in a new way: we can have direct contact with Him! John Frame has a great definition of the privileges of being adopted by God. He says, “Adoption, belonging to God’s family, is the height of our privilege as God’s people and the beginning of our heavenly reward. It is the foundation of all our relationships with God and one another. God’s name is our family name, the name by which we will be known, through all eternity.”
[This is a short post about the doctrine of adoption. There is so much more to discuss but I think this brief piece will be helpful.]
Eagerly Awaiting 