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John 1:1-13
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Now that we have studied how God gives us new spiritual life in regeneration, we turn our attention now to the 6th doctrine in the systematic explanation of all that happens in our salvation, and that is the doctrine of adoption. Adoption is an act of God whereby He makes us members of His family. In all interpersonal interaction there are two “ships” that we need to understand. The 1st ship is relationship! Webster defines a relationship as “The quality or state of being related. A connection by blood, marriage, etc.” When God adopts us into His family He is establishing a personal relationship with us. That relationship is established on the shed blood of His Son. Our relationship to God in salvation cannot be broken by us because we have nothing to do with any of the conditions that establish the adoption agreement, nor do we have any involvement in any of the conditions that hold the agreement in force. The second “ship” is fellowship. Mr. Webster defines fellowship as “friendly association; a mutual sharing, as of experience, activity, interest, etc; a group of people with the same interests; company; brotherhood.” Fellowship is the way the relationship expresses itself in the lives of those involved. The act of God in adopting us into His family, establishes an eternal relationship that is expressed to us through fellowship. With that information, let’s consider what Scripture tells us about:
- THE PROOF OF ADOPTION. We are related to God in Christ – Read Jn. 1:12; and Rom. 8:14-17. Read Eph. 4:1-16 where, because we are all adopted into God’s family as His children, we are also related to each other as brothers and sisters. Now let’s consider an important, though often ignored proof of adoption into God’s family; and that is proof in our daily lives. Read Gal. 4:1-7. The proof Paul is addressing is the proof of assurance, or reassurance that comes to our hearts when Satan attacks us with thoughts of doubt. Another way we see the proof of adoption through our daily lives is our obedience from our heart to ALL God’s Word! As with most everything, God gives overwhelming proof that we are adopted into His eternal family. Now let’s consider the:
- PROCESS OF OUR ADOPTION. have all heard people say, “I’ve been a Christian all my life”. The Biblical doctrine of adoption clearly teaches that no one is born a Christian. One writer says adoption is opposite to the idea of being born into a family. The very concept of adoption is a demonstration of mercy and grace in action. When a person is adopted it is because the one doing the adopting is compelled by the love in their heart to change the status of the person being adopted from being an orphan without a family, into the status of being a family member. In order to be saved a person must believe the truth about Christ being the Savior, and they must place their faith in Him. So adoption is one of God’s responses to saving faith. Or, faith comes before adoption. Read Gal. 3:23-30. We read John 1:12 earlier. There we learn “all who receive Christ as Savior are given the power to become children of God.” Again, notice – the power to become children of God – comes from God! Another part of the process of adoption is assurance of adoption is given by The Holy Spirit. Notice in Gal. 4:6 Paul tells us the result of being adopted children of God causes the Holy Spirit to call God “Father.” Look closely at Gal. 4:7. The manner in which God conducts the process of adoption is that we are adopted as legal heirs. Paul’s point in Galatians is that our salvation changes the way God sees us, from being viewed as His enemy, to being adopted into His family as a child. Take a few minutes to review this information and you will see how serious God is about establishing and maintaining an eternal relationship with you! How grateful we should be God chose us to be part of His family! Amen!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
