Adopted into God’s Family

Bob and Sue visited us at FoF  on Tuesday, and reminded us that as Christians we are, in fact, adopted as sons and daughters of God! 

The New Testament is full of language about how we who received Him, all we who believe on His name (John 1:12), are sons of God. For example, see Galatians 3-4, Romans 8:14-15, II Corinthians 6:18, Luke 20:36, Hebrews 2:10, 12-18.

But, Bob reminded us, we were not always children of God. There are barriers that must be overcome before we can accept God’s adoption. We were “shut up under sin,” trapped and condemned (Ephesians 2:1-3, Galatians 3:22-23, Psalm 14:1-3). Not all who are born into Christian families become Christians. But if we are born again (John 3, Romans 10:9), we will be saved. We will be given every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), and we will adopted as children of God!

As children of God we receive many benefits. Galatians 3:26-27 tells us a few.

• A new relationship with Him- we are now “sons of God.”
• We are baptized with Christ- He is now to us a brother, our closest friend.
• We are clothed with Christ- He has given us coverings of righteousness. He has covered our guilt, shame, nakedness, and vulnerability with clean, white robes.
• We are part of a family, and heirs of the Kingdom of God.

Galatians 2:20 teaches that as children of God, with Christ in us, we can begin to live not for ourselves, but for others. We can begin to have compassion, our self-serving attitudes will begin to be replaced with the fruit of the Spirit. And we have the responsibility to act and live as sons and daughters of God.

1. Resist the enemy and his temptations.
2. Exercise our faith.
3. Grow and mature.

Thank God he has saved and adopted us!

We also thank God that Bob and Sue were brought to Poland and influenced so many lives here. Pray for them as they transition back to living in the United States. We wish you all the best, Bob and Sue!