Adoption (Part 1)
Romans 8:14-25
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.
That is a bold statement. Reminder: there have already been a lot of bold statements: dead to sin, alive to God, free from the law of sin and death, having the Spirit of God living in us, being “in Christ.” Now we come to something even bolder and dearer. If we are “in Christ” – and Christ is God’s Son – we become sons of God.
In Christ you received the Spirit of Adoption. In Christ we cry out, “Daddy” to God.
Adoption: What are some of the implications of adoption?
Family identity: You’re not defined by you. You’re defined by your family. The stuff that happened under the last family doesn’t matter anymore. You don’t have to go stating your rights and reasons, excuses and exceptions. Nothing needs to be proven by you anymore. You didn’t earn the right to be here. But here you are. The family will protect you, nurture you and help you. The family loves you. The Spirit of adoption is contrasted to the spirit of fear; no more fear! The opposite of fear is not courage, it is love. You have been adopted.
“He does not lead us to cry, ‘I am God’s child.’ Rather, he leads us to call on God as Father, to look away from ourselves to the One who established the relationship.” [1]
Closeness: “Daddy.” I think it’s a shame that the English translations only transliterate “Abba.” That only makes sense if you’re a Hebrew. The point of the passage is to bring you close to your Daddy. There is much to discuss on the proper fear of God, but that is not in distinction to the fact that when His arms are open to embrace you as His son, you should run toward Him with eagerness! That is the point of redemption! It’s very relational!
Eternal life is to know God! Not as an acquaintance, and not as a respected college professor, or prime minister, but as Daddy!
This is affirmed by the witness of the Spirit! Because you’re adopted, you don’t have to say, “I’m a child of God” – the Spirit says it to you! You’re part of the family – and God Himself has identified you!
Inheritance: “If children, Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” Wow. Sonship is kingship. Much there to unpack. But immediately sonship brings back the concept we mentioned in chapter 5 – suffering. And along with suffering (for the faith) we receive what the children of God are entitled to. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)” This world is the farm that belongs to the family of God. We are entrusted to bring the world to the knowledge of the Savior, while we take dominion (ironically through suffering) and harness its natural resources to make it productive.
More in the next article…
[1] Everett F. Harrison and Donald A. Hagner, “Romans,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans–Galatians (Revised Edition), ed. Tremper Longman III & Garland, David E., vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 137.