OUR LORD WHO ADOPTS US

Adoption in the context of the bible is the legal and spiritual inclusion of a person from outside a family into a family.

The adoption, once formalized, is a spiritual bond that links an adopting parent with an adopted child in a way that is spiritually identical to the  bond between biological parents and their child.

In the book of Romans chapter 8 verse 14 - 19, the Apostle Paul explains how those who believe in Christ and are led by the Spirit of God receive a Spirit of adoption as sons whereby we were once orphans but now are sons who can refer to the Lord our God as Father. The passage reads this way.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 

The adoption brings us into the household of God and we become sons with the privileges and responsibilities of the heirs of the househild. Roman chapter 8 continues with a description of the adoption process.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 

                                  - Romans 8 verse 22 - 23

We, who the first fruits of the Spirit groan within  our orphaned selves. We  then wait eagerly for adoption into sonship which is associated with the redemption of our bodies.

After being saved, there a period of time that we wait before we are adopted to sonship. That waiting period is a maturing out of childhood, no longer being babes in Christ but instead, being like arrows in the Lord's quiver like it says in Psalm 127 verse 4 - 5;

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Bless the Lord our God

Amen.

Reference resource: https://www.eph320foundation.org/verses.htm