ADOPTION
I think I finally know what an epiphany is; it is when something becomes known; a revelation: an “OH YEAH, now I understand” moment. You can also see Ephesians 1:3-6 for scriptural emphasis.
Before I get into that, let me make a disclaimer. I am not a theologian. I am not the son of a theologian. I am a layman, never called to the pastoral ministry. I was a very average theological student in college.
That being said, I am going to share some thoughts that I just recently began to understand; finally “getting it right,” so to speak. (See my blog, “Taking Time to Get It Right” from last summer.)
This may be risky, but I am going to reflect on the idea of adoption, as we become members of the family of God.
I have wondered about adoption now for several years. God created us, so why is adoption even necessary? I understand - sort of - what adoption is in the human sense. I know of a couple who adopted a baby several years ago. This child was born of another mother, who, for unknown reasons, could not, or did not want to keep the child. The adoptive couple followed all legal pathways, signed the papers, paid the cost, and the child became theirs. The child became part of the couple’s family. While this comparison is inexact, it can give us a picture of what takes place.
Before we come to Christ…we belong to no one. We are orphans. The Fall ruined everything. We are lost. There is no anchor. There are no connections. There are no “roots,” so to speak. God saw our condition and realized that, as important as the law was, it was incapable of solving this problem. The law could define what sin is, but could go no further. There needed to be a means by which we lost ones could receive forgiveness, be justified, and receive a cleansing from that which kept them from God, and brought into his family. This became possible when Christ died on the cross, taking our punishment so we would not have to…paying the cost for our adoption. A sacrifice was necessary to satisfy God’s righteous demands. Christ became that sacrifice and cleared the way for us to come to God. He became the satisfaction that God demanded…in our place. God forgave us of all that filth that kept us from him…and ADOPTED us as his sons and daughters. All legal stuff was taken care of by the death of Christ. When the Holy Spirit draws us to him, we come, are forgiven, and the “deal is sealed.” We are adopted into his family. We become his sons and daughters. We now belong to Him. At the resurrection, Jesus told Mary to “go and tell…MY BROTHERS…” He said that because they were now in the family; adopted as God’s sons.
I have to admit, my heart was overjoyed when I finally got all of this straight. Thanks be to God for his love that is beyond comprehension. Adoption defines our relationship very clearly. In justification we are legally declared forgiven; all guilt is taken away. Adoption, however, is relational. We can now call God, “Father,” “Abba.”
“Amazing Love, how can it be; that Thou my God shouldst die for me!”
Thanks be to God.
