In His Forever Family

 

 

Our friend who died suddenly last week was a motherly person who loved children and cared for everyone as if they had been born to her family. She had two adopted children. They and their families were her great joy. Since today’s word is ADOPTS, she comes to mind on a human level as a demonstration of God’s loving care for His adopted family.

The first instance of a woman raising a child not her own was Pharaoh’s wife who found Moses in a basket floating in the bullrushes. Acts 7:21 tells how “when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.” However, this verse uses a word meaning ‘take possession’ while the word for adoption is used only six times in the NT and only for the concept of becoming children of God.

How it happens is described in John 1:12–13: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

People who believe in Jesus are spiritual reborn into God’s family. This also means a new life, a changed set of values, an incredible realization that eternity with God our Father is now ours. Having this hope begins a wonderful transformation:

1 John 3:1–3. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

This new identity also involves a release from fear and the realization that God is Father and “Abba”, meaning my “Daddy”, and Jesus has made me a joint heir of all that is His.

Romans 8:14–17. “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.”

Jesus is the natural, eternal Son of God. Humans become children of God by virtue of spiritual adoption. He redeemed us and the OT people of God, planning this long ago:

Romans 9:4. “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.”

Galatians 4:4–7. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Becoming a child of God is both an event and a lifestyle with a culmination in the future. I am His right now, yet still live in an earth-bound body. However, there is a future glory for my body too — I will be like Jesus and for this, I am presently eager — to the point of great longing. As Romans 8:22–23 says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Come, Lord Jesus come.

 

Redemption: Past, Present, and Future

When Christians say “I am saved” along with “I am being saved” their listeners could become confused. In today’s devotional, author Don Fortner explains it so well that I’m filled with worship. Our God is an awesome God.

What can I say after reading his post for January 10^th other than recording the Scripture he used and how it spoke to my heart? Also, for those who want to read along, I just did a Google search and found that the entire book is published online. Here is the link.

Fortner says that redemption is two-fold. I am saved because Jesus paid the price for me concerning God’s demand for a perfect righteousness. I am also saved from the bondage of sin as Jesus continually works in my life to deliver me. In this, redemption is now and not yet.

Moses speaks of redemption this way . . .

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him . . . . You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.” (Exodus 15:1-2; 13)

King David speaks of redemption this way . . . 

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. (Psalm 31:3–5)

Paul says this to show the now and not yet nature of redemption . . .

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7) and “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

My sins are forgiven and I am redeemed for eternity. This is something like being drafted into the armed services in the sense that I am now a soldier. However, soldiers must experience boot camp to learn how to perform like a soldier. In the same way, God uses the power of His Holy Spirit in the boot camp called life to rid me of everything that does not go with my new identity. This is a process, but the fact of sin being present and cleansed does not change the fact of forgiveness and the new person created by the grace of God. To mix metaphors, I am in His family even when though I sometimes act like an orphan brat.

Fortner says that both aspects of redemption are essential to full salvation. I needed a suitable Substitute to redeem me with the price of His own blood. I also need a sovereign Deliverer to redeem me from the pull of sin with the power of His shed blood and His Holy Spirit.

Jesus, You overwhelm me with grace. I am redeemed, set free from the awful punishment that I deserve. I am being redeemed as You set me free from the bondage of sin.

Even more, Romans 8:22–23 tells me I will be fully redeemed. Right now, the whole creation groans together along with Your people who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, and we wait eagerly for our full adoption as Your people. On that day, this third aspect of redemption is marked by the redemption of our bodies — as we walk into eternity gazing at Your incredible face.