I. The Meaning of Adoption

Adoption means God’s taking believers and admitting them into His family. God takes the Child of sin to be His child. Now, that child has the same position and all the advantages of a child by birth. Adoption, settles the dispute in regard to all questions of rights, privileges, and inheritance.

II. The Time When Adoption Takes Place

1. In a Certain Sense It Is Eternal in Its Nature

Ephesians 1:4-5 says: before the foundation of the world we were predestinated unto the adoption of children. We need to distinguish between the foreordaining to adoption, and the actual act of adoption takes place when we believe in Christ. Just as the incarnation was foreordained, and yet took place in time; and just as the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world on Calvary. Why then mention this eternal aspect of adoption? To exclude works and to show that our salvation had its origins solely in the grace of God (Romans 9:11; 11:5-6). Just as if we should adopt a child it would be a holy gracious act on our part.

2. It Takes Place the Moment One Believes in Jesus Christ

1 John 3:2 says; “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” Galatians 3:26 says: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.” Also John 1:12 says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Sonship is now the present possession of the believer. Strange as it may be, inconceivable as it may seem, it is nevertheless true. The world may not think so (1 John 3:1), but God says so, and the Christian believing it, exclaims, “I’m a child of the King.” Formally we were slaves; now we are sons.

3. Our Sonship will be Completed at the Resurrection and coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 8:23 says: “Waiting for the adoption, which is, the redemption of our body.” Here in this world we are incognito; We are not recognized as sons of God. But someday we will throw off this disguise (2 Corinthians 5:10). It does not appear, it have not yet appeared what we shall be; the revelation of the sons of God is reserved for a future day. This is beautifully explained in 1 John 3:1-3 when it says: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

III. The Blessing of Adoption

The blessings of adoption are too numerous to mention in the briefest way. Some of them are as follows:

The objects of God’s peculiar love (John 17; 23), and His fatherly care (Luke 12:27- 33).We have the family name (1 John 3:1; Ephesians 3:14-15), the family likeness (Romans 8:29); family love (John 13:35; 1 John 3:14); the filial spirit (befitting a son or daughter) – (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6); a family service (John 14:23- 24; 15:8).

We receive fatherly chastisement (Hebrews 12:5-11), fatherly comfort (Isaiah 66:13; 2 Corinthians 1:4), and an inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 8;17).

IV. Some Evidences of Sonship

Those who were adopted into God’s family:

Are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:18).

Have a child-like confidence in God (Galatians 4:5-6).

Have liberty of access (Ephesians 3:12).

Have a love for the brethren (1 John 2:9-11; 5:1).

Are obedient ( 1 John 5:1-3).

By William Evans. Copyright 1974 – The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago,IL