Sonship - Week 2

Jews were God’s adopted people through the Abrahamic Covenant.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Genesis 12:1-3

While Jews were an adopted people, they didn’t see themselves as adopted sons and daughters.

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:Exodus 4:22

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.Isaiah 1:2

All can become God’s adopted children through the New Covenant.

We have access to adoption through the finished work of Christ.

We are converted from slavery to sonship.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.Romans 6:17-18

Those who submit to Christ are not subjects of a monarch, but adopted as children of the Father.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:John 1:11-12

We enter into a unique relationship that only Jesus has had before. No one else calls Him Father.

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.Romans 8:15

To address God as Father requires a relationship of intimacy.

As sons, we receive a new identity.

We receive a new name.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.1 John 3:1

We receive a new nature.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17

Our status through adoption is permanent and irrevocable.

God doesn’t kick His kids out of His family for bad behavior.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:38-39

This should give a sense of security.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.John 6:37

This does not allow us a license to sin.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?Romans 6:1-2

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.Galatians 5:13

This is further assurance of “no condemnation.”

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Romans 8:1

Being a son should give us a desire to please our Father.

Jesus sets this example.

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.John 8:29

Sons carried on the vocation of their fathers.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Matthew 5:9

We are image bearers of the Father.

Adoption is an act of love and grace. We were not born, we were chosen.

Being adopted places us into a family with other brothers and sisters.

Being adopted makes us brothers with Jesus.

Being adopted means we will never be alone.