Adoption as Sons
2 Corinthians 6:14/18
Romans 8:14/15 “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.”
In these verses God is saying, I will act toward you as the most affectionate father can act towards his children. You shall be a part of the household of God, the family of heaven; you will be happy, holy, separate and secure and safe.
An earthly father is the protector, counselor, and guide to his children. He instructs them, provided for them, and counsels them in times of trouble and no relationship is as noble. Earthly fathers, however loving and affectionate may fail their children; because they may not have everything that is needed at their disposal.
They may lack both the power and means to provide that which is essential, but the Lord God who made the heavens and earth is able to provide. God says he will be responsible for his children, he will acknowledge them as his very own.
No higher honor can be conferred on mortals than to be adopted into the family of God, and permitted to call the one true God their Father. No position is as important as that of being sons and the daughters, and heir’s with Jesus Christ.
Thank about this, the most humble in rank, the poorest and uneducated, the most despised among men, may reflect that they have a relationship with Jesus the son of God, and have the creator of the heavens and the earth as their Father.
As believers we are united to the one who has all power and is able to provide, protect and preserve, and those who put their trust in Him shall never be confounded.
This promise is to those who accept the adoption offered through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, many will involve themselves in sinful acts as touching the unclean things, and not accept the free offer of salvation.
This promise was originally given to the Jews; but they did not receive Jesus as their Lord, but worked iniquity. What was the consequence? God set them aside; and those who joined in their iniquity were separated from him. So the Jews were cast off, and the Gentiles were grafted in.
It was wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. They were to put aside the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, and not be yoked together with unbelievers. Any true pastor or leader like the Apostle Paul will caution their members not to be entangled with the affair of this world.
When we fail to heed the scriptures and hook up with those who do not believe, that union will brings a snare. This caution also extends to ever day conversation. (Stay with me now.) We should not join in friendship with wicked and unbelievers who profane the name of Jesus.
We cannot completely avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for close friends. We must not defile ourselves by having fellowship with those who defile themselves with sin.
Come out from among those who work iniquity, who choose to live in sinful pleasures as they pursue a lifestyle that conforms to the evils of this world.
Beginning in verse fourteen, Paul speaks of being yoked together. A yoke was used to pair two together to accomplish a purpose in life, a pair of mules to plow the field, a father and son fishing, a pastor and church to proclaim the gospel.
Christians are not to pair off with unbelievers. I believe that we should choose or friends and associations wisely, how can two walk together unless they agree.
What concord hath Christ with Belial? A reference to a heathen god like Beelzebub, as a synonym for Satan, as Christ has nothing in common with Satan, how can a believer have a close relationship with one who is still under the dominion of the prince of this world?
Or what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? As God’s temple has nothing in common with idol temples, so the believers are to be separated from idolaters. “For ye are the temple of the living God.”
As the Shekinah glory dwelt between the cherubim on the mercy seat, under the covenant of grace the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of the believer.
Verse seventeen states, “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean things; and I will receive you.” This is a quote from Isaiah 52:11 this was a call to Israel to cleanse itself from all pagan pollutions.
From the book of Galatians chapter three beginning with verse twenty-four, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith, but after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
“For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
As born again believers we enjoy great privileges and are no longer accounted servants, but sons; and we have access to all things that God has provided for his children. No outward form, profession or sacrifice can secure these blessings; they come from the bountiful hand of the Father.
We are baptized into the death of Christ, that as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in newness and holiness of life. Putting on Christ according to the gospel is not outward imitation, but inward change because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” The scribes and Pharisees and rulers rejected him, yet many of the early followers received Him.
To as many as received him, He gave the right or privilege to become sons of God. Being a child of God is a privilege because God has bestowed His blessings upon them.
Beginning with Matthew’s gospel the believers were called children of the light or sons of God, or Children of God by adoption.
They were favored because they believe that Jesus was the light of the world. All others were children of darkness, because they did not received the light of the gospel of the Jesus Christ\.
Galatians 4:4/7 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that was under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abbe, Father. You are no more a servant but a son, and if a son then an heir of God through Christ.”
Romans 10:10/13 “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This is the uniform promise, “Repent of your sins, and be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord, because we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins.
Because He alone can pardon us, so we must ask it of God. When we call upon Him we acknowledge him as Sovereign, Father, Friend; and in doing so we offer Him our respect, reverence, honor and worship.
