I’m Adopted
“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, 15
Being adopted is probably one of the greatest blessings an orphan can experience. The very act suggests that someone cared enough about this child that they wanted to make him one of their own – to provide for, to love, to give them a family in which they belong.
While the doctrine of adoption in the Bible is one of great importance, the word “adoption” (huiothesía) appears only five times. (Romans 8.15, 23; 9.4; Galatians 4.8; Ephesians 1.5) In each case, it speaks of the dramatic transformation when an individual has been removed from the world and into the Family of God.
Concerning life’s direction, the one having been adopted has a new direction and purpose. He is being led by the Spirit which is proof of the adoption process. (Romans 8.14) Concerning living, the one having been adopted is offered the opportunity to produce eternal fruits. His life is productive because the family to which he belongs has eternal results. (Romans 8.23) Concerning life itself, the one having been adopted is released from carnal bondage and has been freed from the power of sin. He no longer is limited to pleasing the world and self – building edifices in the temporal based upon the earthly, but he is able to break the temporal bands and enjoy a heavenly relationship here on earth. (Galatians 4.8) Concerning our relationship, the one having been adopted is secured by the power of God. As Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus, he assures them that God is in control and that they are safe in His arms.
Huiothesía is a technical term used only by Paul. Paul is alluding to a Greek and Roman custom rather than a Jewish one. Since huiothesía was a technical term in Roman law for an act with specific legal and social effects, it is quite probable that Paul had some reference that when he used this term. Adoption, when legally performed, put the adoptee in every respect as a son by birth to the one who executed the adoption. He, in fact, possessed the same rights, privileges, and obligations of any other member of the family.
Being an adopted child involves the conformity of the child, who has the life of God in him, to the image, purposes, and interests of God and that spiritual family into which he now belongs.
The adopted one has been afforded an inheritance in eternity comparable to the Son because the believer is now a joint-heir with Christ. For the family relationship, we need not wait. (Ephesians 1.3; 2.6) We can enjoy the family now. Furthermore, we are no longer an outsider. We are family.
While the doctrine of adoption in the Bible is one of great importance, the word “adoption” (huiothesía) appears only five times. (Romans 8.15, 23; 9.4; Galatians 4.8; Ephesians 1.5) In each case, it speaks of the dramatic transformation when an individual has been removed from the world and into the Family of God.
Concerning life’s direction, the one having been adopted has a new direction and purpose. He is being led by the Spirit which is proof of the adoption process. (Romans 8.14) Concerning living, the one having been adopted is offered the opportunity to produce eternal fruits. His life is productive because the family to which he belongs has eternal results. (Romans 8.23) Concerning life itself, the one having been adopted is released from carnal bondage and has been freed from the power of sin. He no longer is limited to pleasing the world and self – building edifices in the temporal based upon the earthly, but he is able to break the temporal bands and enjoy a heavenly relationship here on earth. (Galatians 4.8) Concerning our relationship, the one having been adopted is secured by the power of God. As Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus, he assures them that God is in control and that they are safe in His arms.
Huiothesía is a technical term used only by Paul. Paul is alluding to a Greek and Roman custom rather than a Jewish one. Since huiothesía was a technical term in Roman law for an act with specific legal and social effects, it is quite probable that Paul had some reference that when he used this term. Adoption, when legally performed, put the adoptee in every respect as a son by birth to the one who executed the adoption. He, in fact, possessed the same rights, privileges, and obligations of any other member of the family.
Being an adopted child involves the conformity of the child, who has the life of God in him, to the image, purposes, and interests of God and that spiritual family into which he now belongs.
The adopted one has been afforded an inheritance in eternity comparable to the Son because the believer is now a joint-heir with Christ. For the family relationship, we need not wait. (Ephesians 1.3; 2.6) We can enjoy the family now. Furthermore, we are no longer an outsider. We are family.
“My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
Refrain:
“I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King!
“My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His, when He comes by and by.
“I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth,
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.” *
* “A Child of the King,” Harriet E. Buell, 1877
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