ADOPTED CHILD OF GOD | Northstar Church

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”— Romans 8:15

Society admires those who choose to adopt children. Not only because of the sacrifices they make but because of the love they display. Adoption gives children the opportunity to gain a family as well as an improved quality of life. We rejoice when we see a warm, accepting relationship in families united not by blood but by love. The greatest thing, though, is the idea of changing the trajectory of a child’s life. A child becomes a part of a new family and is given all the rights that come with it.

The same is true for those who give their life to Christ. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are then adopted into God’s family. Once we accept Christ, we are His children. We are adopted and can never be disowned, disinherited, locked out, or not supported. The New Testament uses the word adopt in several cases. Galatians 4:5 says, “God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” And Ephesians 1:5 adds, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

The process of adopting a child in the United States can be long, expensive, and painful. It also can be stressful as adoptive parents who long to parent an unknown child wait without guaranteeing their dream will be fulfilled. Adoption into God’s family is completely different. There’s no hidden red tape, no waiting for approval. God made our adoption process simple. Just as a father longs for a child to share his life and love with, God yearns to adopt us into His eternal family. Galatians 4:6 says, “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” This is an amazing and mind-boggling assurance for every believer. We’re children of God.

For reasons that can be summarized only by love itself, God chose each one of us. He selected us to be His child and adopted us into His family. It just doesn’t get any better than being part of God’s family. No matter our social or ethnic background, education, or history, being a part of God’s family is a serious upgrade. No family has ever had so anything close to the benefits of being a part of God’s family. Fully participating in God’s family is truly a blessing from God. God’s love makes us children of God. Nothing else—no works, merit, or righteousness on our part—can do it.

If you are struggling today and wondering where you belong, you are part of God’s family, chosen by Him before the foundation of the earth.

Discussion Questions:

What are the benefits of belonging to the family of God?
How can you use your gifts and abilities to serve the Body of Christ and show the world what it means to belong to God’s family?