Q. 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace,a whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. (Westminster Shorter Catechsim, Q&A 34)
“You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'”-Romans 8:15
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”-Galatians 3:26
“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 1:5-6
Let these verses and their implications sink in: In Christ, you are a child of God. You are His son or daughter with whom He is well pleased and whom He greatly loves.
Through His work on the cross, on behalf of sinners like you and me, Jesus accomplished salvation for all those who would turn to Him in repentance and faith. Adoption is yet another of the gracious blessings which we receive upon putting on Christ. We have become sons and daughters of God, but not only this. God, in His grace, has also granted us all the privileges and blessings that sons and daughters receive from their fathers. We receive all of God’s promises, we have the privilege of talking to Him–lifting up our worries, sorrows, fears, needs and wants–and know that He hears us, and we are given all the joys of His lavish grace which is poured out upon us.
And to think that God would choose to do all of this despite the fact that we have sinned against Him! To think that despite our rebelliousness, He would send His Son to die for such people as you and I! And now, having been redeemed by Christ, justified through His work, we are counted as God’s children!
Have you ever meditated on the fact that God chose to make you His son or daughter?
How does knowing you are a child of God impact the way you look at your relationship with Him?
How does knowing you are a child of God impact the way you interact with others?
What implications does this have for you as you look to living your life to the glory of God?
Have Thoughts?