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THE DOCTRINE OF ADOPTION AND ITS EFFECT 09/03/2023
In Christian theology, the doctrine of adoption is perhaps a topic that is not discussed enough and certainly not understood as it should be. While it is likely mentioned in Reformed circles more than others, it is a universal Christian doctrine. It is vital that God’s people understand the doctrine of adoption, for each one is adopted themselves. When God’s people gather to worship, they gather as adopted individuals and, thus, comprise one family and one body. Adoption then is crucial to Christian worship and should have a dramatic effect on individuals’ lives. Therefore, in a broad sense, I will examine the doctrine of adoption and the subsequent effect it should have on the believer’s life.
Foundation
and Details
In
Reformed theology, known in Latin as the ordo salutis (order of
salvation), adoption is regarded as a step immediately subsequent to
justification. The ordo salutis includes election, foreknowledge,
predestination, redemption, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and
glorification. Without detailing the order of salvation and its nuances (since
such a topic is not in the scope of this material), the underpinning concept to
understand is that one’s change or regeneration occurs after the point of
redemption, i.e. salvation happens to individuals passively, not actively; that
is to say that the work of salvation is objective since it is employed by God
himself; no part of salvation holds a basis of human intervention.
In physical adoption, parents take the responsibility of a child that is not naturally their own. In the same manner, God holds the responsibility of his children and their own spiritual maturation and protection. Physical adoption has, in Christian discussion, been discussed as the visible gospel, for physical adoption displays what occurs in a believer’s life when he or she becomes a child of God: God takes one who is not naturally his (and, in fact, is opposed to him and undeserving to be his) and adopts such a person as his own child. When physical adoption occurs then, believers should rejoice and understand it as a picture of the gospel of Christ, for all believers are adopted (Gal 4:5, Rom 8:15, Eph 1:5).
Every
Child of God Is Adopted
It
should be recounted that every child of God is adopted; there is not such a
person as one who is a natural child of God. In fact, human nature is not as
children of God but as radical God-hating opposers of him. A New Age idea is
that all people are children of God; all people are creations of God; yet, only
those who are found in Christ and in right relationship with him are children
of God. In the physical realm, one might (incorrectly) assume a natural child
to be more important than an adopted child; nonetheless, in New Testament
culture, when a child was adopted such a person held more rights than one who
was a natural child. New Testament adoption signifies the complete abandonment
of a child’s status and way of life prior to being adopted. In New Testament
culture, at the point of adoption, a child became not only the responsibility
of the parents but also connected with the parents in a way that could not be broken.
An adopted child was under the protection of his or her adoptive parents and
held even greater rights than his or her siblings who were of the same
bloodline as the parents.
God
has adopted people whose nature is sin and has taken responsibility for his
children’s growth, well-being, and fundamental transformation. It is, however,
a spiritual transformation that only occurs by God’s employment himself, i.e.
no part of salvation is the result of anything a person does; this includes the
decision to follow Christ. The decision to follow Christ is the result of and
happens subsequent to God’s redemptive work. While a common idea might be that
people decide to follow Christ and then he changes them, such an order does not
reflect that of Scripture.
Every child of God is adopted; thus, believers should count it an undeserved gift to be a part of the family of God. God, not needing people or having sufficient reason to save anyone, has chosen and adopted his children. Such a magnificent reality should foster praise in the lives of God’s people.
Through
Adoption, Gentiles Are Grafted
God’s
children are adopted and a grafting process occurs, which makes them people of
God. While the people of Israel are revealed to be God’s chosen people in
Scripture, through the New Covenant in Christ, many more who are not part of
Israel are grafted into God’s family. Without Christ’s mediation, there would
be no hope of eternal life for anyone. Though Gentiles, God’s people hold the
same rights and are found in the same covenant as God’s chosen people, for now
they are also God’s chosen people. Speaking of God’s chosen people, due to
Christ’s mediation, is to also speak of the Gentiles grafted into God’s family,
i.e. Christians are now on the same plane as those of whom Scripture speaks as
the chosen people of God: Israel. Christians (not just Jews) and God’s chosen
people are synonymous.
Such an amazing feat did not occur, however, without God adopting his sons and daughters. It is through the spiritual reality of adoption that people not born as Israelites are among the chosen people of God; they are grafted into such a family.
God’s
Children Are Heirs and Hold the Same Rights
The
Apostle Paul writes:
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 (Rom 8:14-17).
The succession presented by Paul here is childrenàheirsàglorification (v. 17). Nevertheless, the process begins with adoption (v. 15). The logical progression then implies that since God’s people are adopted, they are not only children but heirs and, therefore, hold such rights to glorification.[1] The truth of the believer’s position as an heir of Christ should never be taken for granted. Adoption should spawn gratitude rather than a sentiment of privilege, for adoption is not based upon what one has or has not done but rather only what Christ has done. By whom are God’s people adopted? Christ. In whom do God’s children reside? Christ. How are God’s children heirs? They are heirs because they are in Christ who is the one true heir; being one in him and one with him makes them heirs. Every benefit a believer holds is because of Christ. Thus, to know and believe that God’s children are heirs and hold the same rights is to simultaneously know and understand that without Christ, not only would they not be heirs but they would be utterly hopeless. Let us thank God for his adoption.
We
Are Adopted; So What?
The
doctrine of adoption is one of the most vital to understand not only in
Reformed theology but broadly as a Christian, for its implications are eternal.
Predicated upon an understanding that human nature is corrupt and totally evil,
a proper understanding of spiritual adoption should cause believers to live
with an emphatic gratitude and a reflection of God’s mercy. No one deserves the
benefits and blessings found in Christ as heirs with him; yet, in Christ, we
share in his inheritance as sons and daughters of the King. Understanding the
doctrine of adoption should not cause believers to live with pride but rather
with humility. The doctrine of adoption should not give believers a sense of
entitlement but rather an eternal gratitude that fosters mercy toward others.
Further, understanding the doctrine of adoption should produce an understanding
of identity for God’s people. Children of God are undeservedly adopted and
should live as such, i.e. every aspect of a believer’s life should reflect his
or her new identity and progressive sanctification. Without adoption, no one
would be a child of God; yet, in his great mercy, he has sovereignly adopted
his people for his purposes. Therefore, may the children of God accomplish that
to which they have been called and reflect the great mercy of the one who has
called them.
[1] Such a statement does not negate the fact that Christians are undeserving of adoption; rather, adoption is viewed as even more miraculous since God has sovereignly adopted undeserving people. The believer’s position as an heir is not linked to what he or she naturally deserves but only to what Christ deserves since such a position comes from being found in Christ.
