Identity 02: Graciously Adopted
Orientate
My parents didn’t have any choice when I came along. I was born their son and they had to love me just the way I was. As I grew, they probably didn’t like everything about my personality and attitude, but I was their son. They had to accept me and they did it very well, even including me in the inheritance. That’s not always the case for parents and children. Some kids get adopted. In these cases, the parents make a choice to adopt a child, knowing at least in part what their child will be like. They make a choice to love the child and include them in their family.
The Bible talks about us being God’s adopted children. His natural son is Jesus, but we have been graciously included in the family as well. God adopted you as his child fully knowing everything about you. It was a choice he made. See what the Bible says.
Explore: Romans 8:14-17
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Journal
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. What are the benefits of being adopted into God’s family?
Reflect
God is outside time so he can see the past, present and future. There is nothing about your past and future that he doesn’t know. Nothing about you comes as a surprise to him. You are an open book. He knows every weakness, every flaw, every attitude, every fear, every insecurity. And still he has decided to adopt you into his family. Out of all the people in the world, in his grace he has chosen you. This really is incredible and so reassuring. No wonder Paul (the author of Romans) says that we are no longer slaves to fear (8:15). We’re in the family forever.
This means that God is our Dad. The New Testament was originally written in Greek, but the Jewish people at the time spoke Aramaic. So Paul has strangely put an Aramaic word “Abba” into his Greek letter to the Roman church. Why would he do that? Well he wanted to show how intimate our family relationship is with God. “Abba” means “Dad.” It’s the word a Jewish child used for their Dad. It wasn’t ever used for God by the Jews. God was seen as holy and incredible and beyond such a childish address. But that exactly describes our family relationship with God. He’s our Dad. And like a good Dad, he thinks we’re special, loves us intimately, and really enjoys time with us.
As God’s adopted child, not only do you get God as your Dad, but you are also included in the inheritance (8:17). You have Jesus as your brother, as well as your Lord and Saviour. All that Jesus receives belongs to you as well. The power and the glory and the respect and the beauty of the kingdom of Jesus is yours too. Jesus loves sharing this with you and there is plenty for all, seeing everything good belongs to God. All this comes because God has chosen in his grace to adopt you into his family.
Pray
Well Dad [or Father if you prefer] I have no idea why you would want to adopt me into your family, but I am so glad you did. You knew every little detail about me and you still wanted me. That’s incredible. Please help me to live close to you as my Dad and really enjoy being in your family with my incredible brother Jesus and all my other brothers and sisters.
Respond
Try using the word “Dad” when you speak to God today. If this is too difficult for you, ask the Spirit to help you because it comes naturally to him. Enjoy your closeness with God today.
