THOUGHTS ON ADOPTION

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
 
Romans 8:14-17
 
What is your reaction when you learn that a person is adopted? Do you feel like an adopted child is on some different level than a natural child? You may have never consciously thought about it but in your subconscious is there an attitude of a second class relationship if an adoption is involved?
 
The grandfather in today’s devotion seems to have taken on the proper attitude. Listen to his words; “… as surely as my adopted grandson is now my own…” Let us be careful not to place a second class judgment on the relationship of adoptive parents and children.
 
As a believer, we would never place a second class attitude or judgment on our relationship with God, our heavenly Father. We are “adopted into his family.” We are His children, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, and with our fellow believers in the Body of Christ. We are heirs to all the promises God has given His children. Eternal life is ours … eternity with Jesus is our future. We are “God’s very own children.”