Adoption and Sonship

                                                                                           

Aloha Dearest Family,
 

Today I was reading in the book of Ephesians some great stuff, 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Ephesians 1:3-5)

Years ago, when I first became born again, I learned of my relationship in God's family as a son of God and all the power and authority associated with that position. (Hurray!)  But I've heard some teach that we are not "true sons" as Jesus was, we are sons in a different way than Jesus, so it must be by adoption. This led me to search for the real meaning of the word "adoption" as it is used in the King James Version.

The Greek word translated "adoption" in the King James is uiothesia. The literal meaning is "the placing of a son." We can see the meaning of this word more clearly in Galatians chapter 4. 

Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant (bondslave), though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 

Before the prince took his rightful place as the King's son with all authority and power, he first had to be trained and taught by tutors and governors. Before the appointed time set by the Father, the son had the same place or position as a bondservant. 

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 

We were similar to this untrained child. God knew through His foreknowledge that one day we would believe on His son and be saved and become an heir. 

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

When the time was right, God "placed us as sons and daughters" in the family with all of the rights and privileges that come with that position. We are not "adopted" the way we think of that word today. We are placed in His royal family with great standing. The next verse is magnificent! 

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

The word "Abba" is an intimate form of endearment from a son to a Father, similar to saying "dad or daddy." The priests in the Old Testament and at the time of Jesus Christ never used the "Abba" in their prayers to God. It was too intimate. Jesus Christ used this term when he was praying to God in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Mark 14:36) We, as sons of God, can have this kind of intimate relationship with God our Father. This is what Jesus Christ came to make available to us. God is our "Abba". 

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Are you excited yet?)

Let us look at another place where "adoption" is used. 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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 8:14-16) 

The words "the spirit of adoption" here can more accurately be rendered as "a sonship spirit." We have been placed by God as His true children into His family. Because of this we can truly cry "Abba Father." (If you are not out of your seat yet, you will be.)

Still not convinced? Let us look at I Peter 1:23, 

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. 

I have the seed of my earthly father within me, and I will until I die. I cannot lose it. It is permanent. And this seed, the seed of man, is "corruptible". The scripture says that we are born again of "incorruptible seed". I cannot lose this seed no matter how much I sin. I've even heard people teach that unless we live our lives without sin that we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. What utter nonsense!! I will ALWAYS be God's child because of the seed that is within me. Furthermore, it says that we are "born again." The Greek words for the phrase "born again" here means "born from above". We are literally "born from above with God's incorruptible seed." (Are you out of your seat yet?). The seed that we have is spiritual whereas Jesus Christ's seed was physical. We are not adopted but we are true children of God Almighty. If God's servants in the Old Testament could call upon God and expect miracles, how much more a son or daughter of the most high God?

    The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;.., (Romans 8:16 and 17)

 

We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Wow!! We share in the same inheritance that Jesus Christ has. Not because of anything that we have done, but what Jesus Christ has done. This stuff is almost unbelievable! Why has God bestowed upon us such abundant honor? Because he so loves us. 

Behold, what manner of love the Father bath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. (I John 3:1)

    Love Always, Ray