ADOPTION


          For God's chosen people, He has elected us, called us, regenerated us,
     converted us, and justified us.

          The next step in the Biblical Order of Salvation is ADOPTION.

          Adoption is the act of God making us members of His family.

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          Before God adopted us into His family, we were hostile toward Him,
     and followers of the Devil.
          "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you
     used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the
     kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient"
     Ephesians 2:1-2.

          We did not obey God or love others as He commanded.
          "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of
     the devil are:  Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God;  nor is
     anyone who does not love his brother" 1 John 3:10.

          We were unable to hear what God said.
          (Jesus said), "Why is my language not clear to you?  Because you are unable to
     hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your
     father's desire." ...He who belongs to God hears what God says.  The reason you do not
     hear is that you do not belong to God"  John 8:43-44,47.

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          God predestined us for adoption before the founation of the world, even though
     He knew we would be his enemies before coming to Him for salvation.
          "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless
     in His sight.  In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ,
     in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace, which He
     has freely given us in the One He loves"  Ephesians 1:4-6.

          When God adopts us into His family, we become His heir.
          "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under
     law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.  Because
     you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out,
     'Abba, Father.'  So you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and since you are a son, God
     has made you also an heir"  Galatians 4:4-7.

          The NIV commentary states:  "By adoption, the justified believer is a full adult and
     heir in God's family, with all the attendant rights and privileges" (we receive His Spirit,
     and share in His sufferings and glory).

          We need not fear His wrath or be anxious.
          "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive
     the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption
     as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba, Father!'"
          "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if
     children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with
     Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him"  Romans 8:14-17.

          John MacArthur commented, "Because of their life of sin, unregenerate people are
     slaves to the fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15), and to their fear of final punishment (1 John 4:18).
     ...God has made us His children, and, therefore we can come before Him without fear or
     hesitation as our beloved Father."
          MacArthur adds, " 'Abba is an informal, Aramaic term for Father that conveys a sense
     of intimacy.  Like the English terms 'Daddy' or 'Papa," it connotes tenderness, dependance,
     and a relationship free of fear or anxiety" (Mark 14:36).

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          Next time, we'll look at step 7 in the Biblical Order of Salvation - SANCTIFICATION.