Adopted in Christ

Having returned from China and completed the year-long process to adopt our second Chinese daughter, the idea of adoption is at the forefront of our minds.  My wife and I are thrilled that God has blessed us with the amazing gift of our daughter - Anna.  However, the blessing of children, whether biological or adoptive, is a great opportunity to reflect on the far greater reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Bible uses vivid adoptive language to express the astounding privileges of those that have become a part of God’s family.   

Why is there even a need to become God’s children?  Many people would think that you are automatically God’s child.  Actually, no.  The New Testament is crystal clear that all of us are born as sinners and are not children of God.  We are actually children of wrath.  Explaining this lost condition before conversion, Ephesians 2:3 says, “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”  Furthermore, God’s Law could only condemn us because of our sinful condition. 

Yet, because of God’s great mercy, God sent Jesus to rescue sinners like you and me.   Galatians 4:4–5 says, “but when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”  Jesus kept the Law perfectly so that His righteous life could be credited to those that would trust Him by faith.  Also, Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty and bear the condemnation that sinners deserve (2 Cor 5:21).  This is the good news that God will declare a sinner righteous by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  You will be redeemed from the condemnation of the Law and will be adopted as God’s very own son. 

Adoption brings new identity and privilege.  The day that we brought Anna home, she has the same rights and privileges of our biological children.  Likewise, but far more glorious, Galatians 4:6–7 says, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”  It is astounding that, despite our rebellion as children of wrath, God is able to make us a son by adoption.  Because of our new relationship to God because of Christ, we have glorious access to the Father.  The Holy Spirit is deposited within us to cause us to hate sin and long for Christ-likeness.  Furthermore, the text says that, if we are a son, we are an heir to inherit the kingdom of heaven and all of its promises.  What a wonderful truth this is!

ADDITIONAL NOTE:  During this trip to adopt Anna, I’ve enjoyed reading Russell Moore’s book Adopted for Life.  In this book, the author weaves together the story of adopting two Russian children and the spiritual parallels in the Gospel.  Even if you never actually adopt, this is a great resource to consider the great reality of Adoption in Christ.