Big Words of the Christian Life: Adoption (Part 2)

February 10, 2010 at 11:05 am | Posted in big words of the Christian life | 1 Comment
Tags: 1 Peter 3, Adoption, assurance, Biblical adoption, blessings of adoption, child-like faith, direction, doctrine of Adoption, dying to self, freedom from fear, freedom of speech, God's prescence, great wealth, grow in grace, heirs, heirs of God, heirs of grace, inheritance, ownership, Philippians 4, prayer, prescence of God, Romans 8, Spirit of Adoption, spiritual hunger, spiritual junk food, suffering, suffering for Christ, talking, talking for God, talking to God, walk in the Spirit

We are using an acrostic to go through the privileges and responsibilities of several of the blessings of the Biblical doctrine of Adoption. Adoption is the act of God by which He grants believers an adult standing in His family. Last time we looked at assurance and direction. Now we turn to ownership.

A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.
T.
S.

Adoption involves our inheritance in Jesus.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:17 (emphasis added)

If babies or young children inherit property under our modern day legal system, they inherit in title only. They cannot access their inheritance. However, adult children immediately inherit from their parents in full: use and ownership.

Privilege: Great wealth

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Responsibility: We must use that wealth to grow. We must grow in grace, wisdom, and mercy. We get our riches, through adoption, immediately, because we must draw on our riches to nourish ourselves spiritually.

A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.resence (of God)

The presence of God – the Spirit of Adoption – is better at sanctifying us than rule-keeping in our own will power. Babies or little children are always prone to fear, because, to them, so much is unknown.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15 (emphasis added)

Small children, being helpless, are in bondage to fear.

Privilege: Freedom from fear

Responsibility: Not to make up our own rules and regulations that we trust to stave off fear

Adults are not as fearful of the unknown as children.

A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.resence (of God)
T.alking

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15

Babies can’t talk. Adult children of God can speak directly to God immediately through the Spirit.

Privilege: Speaking to God

Responsibility: Speaking for God

A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.resence (of God)
T.alking
S.uffering

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:17, emphasis added

Babies aren’t “allowed” to suffer. God graciously allows suffering in His adult children to build character.

Privilege: Preparation for future glory

Responsibility: To suffer for the right reasons

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

I Peter 3:17

The Apostles, the early Christians, and faithful Christians throughout history (John Wesley is a good example) have counted it a great blessing to be considered worthy to suffer for Christ.

Under the Biblical doctrine of Adoption it is important to understand the joys of adoption – how the privileges outweigh the responsibilities. God does not treat us as babies, as little children, or as second-class citizens. Therefore, we must remember not to act like we are babies or little kids. We must have a Child-LIKE faith – not a childISH faith.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2

If you have been adopted into the family of God, live in the Spirit.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 8:13

Live in the Spirit, and die to self by the Spirit. Little children beg for toys and candy; adult children ask for tools, weapons, and nourishment.

Food never tastes better than when you’re really hungry. If you are hungry right now, you need to ask God to fill up the emptiness in you with Himself. If you are a child of God, you need to empty out the junk food that is filling you up and keeping you from being hungry for God.