"ADOPTION (PART II)" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 2/24/26

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children...” (Ephesians 1:5)

“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 8:15)

The evangelical doctrine of adoption, which coincides with justification at one point, and with regeneration at another is, in a sense, the crown and glory of God’s redemptive plan. The admission of fallen, sinful men through the grace of adoption into the family of God with all the rights and privileges of sons in His house is, in a lofty sense, the culmination and high climactic stage of the blessings of redemption. The Apostle defines it as the very goal of the gracious purpose of God concerning sinners: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Christ Jesus unto himself...” (Eph. 1:5) He tells us that it was the very blessing that God aimed to secure when He sent His Son into the world. “God sent forth his Son…To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Gal. 4:4b, 5) As the Israelites were chosen from among all nations and adopted into the family of God it was the highest distinction that could be conferred upon them. This pointed to the true and spiritual Israel “to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.” (Rom. 9:4) Not only so, but the whole creation is seen as groaning and agonizing, in expectation of “the adoption,” by which is meant, “the full manifestation of the sons of God,” which is the “redemption of our body.” Then shall we receive the full inheritance that is ours through adoption. (Rom. 8:19-23)

The Bible reveals God as the Father of His people, and proclaims all believers to be His children, which makes adoption to be one of the most blessed features of the Gospel. The conception of God as Father is a most comforting thought. When calamities overcome us and troubles come in like a flood, we stretch out our arms to our heavenly Father who is never anxious, first, because nothing comes but by His design, and second, because He is sovereign over all, and can still the most violent waves with a Word. When death comes calling at our house and takes a loved one from us, we find our dearest comfort in reflecting upon the fatherly heart of our God. When we ourselves come to stand at the edge of the swelling river, it is our Father’s house that we shall see gleaming on the other shore. This will be our comfort as we fold up this old deteriorating earthly tabernacle. (II Pet. 1:14) But it is by the grace of adoption that any of us come into this glorious heritage of fatherly affection and filial privilege that comes with heavenly citizenship.

Through adoption we have reinstated the affectionate filial relationship that existed between the blessed God and His creature man before the fall. Man began his career as the subject and son of God. Luke, whose Gospel presents Christ as the Son of man, traces His linage back to “Adam, which was the son of God.” (Luke 3:38) At the beginning, in addition to being his Lord, God stood related to His human creature as his Father and Friend. In the fall, all was forfeited to sin. In this forfeiture, Adam acted for all mankind. (Rom. 5:12) In the fall of Adam, the sinner not only lost the rights and the standing of a child, but he also lost the heart and the spirit of a child. He now stands in need for regaining both his filial status and his filial spirit. Regeneration is the work of the Spirit in saving grace that restores the lost disposition of a child, while adoption is the act of grace that restores the standing of a child. By the one, he is given the heart of a child; by the other, he is given the rights of a child. How wonderful is the grace of God in adoption. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (I John 3:1)