Adopted! What does that mean?

 In the same way when a husband and a wife adopt a child all of their resources are available to their child. when God adopts His children through Jesus Christ we become His heirs and joint heirs with Christ.  Gloriously insane I know!  The Holman Bible dictionary puts it as succinctly as I have found.

The concept of adoption finds its fullest expression in the NT. In Paul’s thought it carries various implications. In Rom. 9:4, adoption refers to Israel’s unique relationship to Yahweh; in Rom. 8:23, adoption has connotations for future bodily resurrection; and in Rom. 8:15, adoption refers to becoming children of God.

Thus, as God’s children, the Holy Spirit (1) bears witness in the hearts of believers that they are “God’s children” (Rom. 8:16 HCSB); (2) works in the hearts of believers, making possible intimacy with God as Father (Gal. 4:6); and (3) provides personal direction as believers “walk … according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4 HCSB).

Paul contrasts the unique relationship conferred upon the believer through God’s adoptive work to that of the slave who lives, works, and relates in fear (Rom. 8:15). Those adopted by God into His family are “heirs of God” and “joint heirs” with Christ, receiving all the blessings, benefits, and privileges attained by the sacrifice of the Son of God (Rom. 8:17).

Although primarily developed in Paul, certain aspects of adoption are found in other places in the NT. Adoption is implicit in Jesus’ teaching concerning God as Father (Matt. 5:16; 6:9; Luke 12:32). The conferral of family benefits upon an adoptee is an expression of the Living Word’s authority (John 1:12) and is in keeping with His mission to bring “many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10 HCSB). Thus, Jesus is not ashamed to call believers “brothers” (Heb. 2:11).Brand, C., Draper, C., England, A., Bond, S., Clendenen, E. R., Butler, T. C., & Latta, B. (2003). Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (29). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

 Now this may sound absurd, but you could spend a life-time seeking to truly understand what it means to be adopted by our Heavenly Father...I'm not exaggerating!  My question for you and me is ARE WE LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF OUR PAST OR OUR FUTURE?  Are we living like children of the King of kings or are we living like salves...slaves to our own sins, idols and passions?  If you truly are a child of God and His Spirit dwells within you and you seek to walk according to the Spirit...you have everything you need to walk by faith and walk in victory in Christ.
Oh Father in Heaven, fill us with your Holy Spirit and enable us to live in the light of our future, in the light of who we are in Christ...for your glory and our joy in You!
In Jesus name, Amen
Pursuing Him together!
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