- The Surety of Adoption
Romans 8:15
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.
Ancient Roman Adoption Law
Once the adoption process was completed, the original father (or mother) would have absolutely no influence on the life of the adopted child.
All relationships with the previous family would be forever severed.
The adopting father would, by law, become the only father of the adopted child, and he would have full and complete authority over the child.
The child would take on the name of the adopted father,
The child would receive the full social status of the family.
The child would be brought up in the religious faith of the family.
The child would be in line to receive any inheritance that would be due this child if he/she were born into the family.
In addition, unlike any natural siblings, this inheritance could not be taken away.
The adopted child had the unique protection, under the law, that he/she could never be disowned by the adopting father.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Luke 14:26
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
- The Eternal Inheritance
Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
- The Present Suffering
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:19-21
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
- The Believer’s Hope of Salvation
Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:24-25
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
- The Holy Spirit’s Intercessory Role
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
As you place your faith and trust in God, He adopts you as His own child and the following process takes place:
You did not choose your new Father. He chose you.
You are now known by a new name: Christian.
You now have a father that is devoted to your care.
You have an inheritance in heaven that can never be taken away.
You no longer have a desire to return to your life prior to salvation.
Your hope is now entirely in God, and no longer in any temporal authority of this world.
It is your desire to be obedient to the LORD because of what He has done for you. You have no desire to cause Him to regret His decision to adopt you
The old, secular, and sinful world now has no authority over you.
You have unencumbered access to God from the moment of salvation through all future eternity.