Christian, Remember Your Adoption (2)

Introduction

In the last post, we looked at the definition of the doctrine of adoption. In this post, we will examine how the Bible connects the doctrine of adoption with various elements of the order of the salvation (election, regeneration, and saving faith). The connection between adoption and the rest of the order of salvation underscores its great importance in the plan of God. 

Election and Adoption

The foundation of our salvation is in the electing decree of God who chose a people in eternity to give to the Son (John 10:29). These are the sheep for whom Christ laid down his life (John 10:15,17). In the Bible, God’s electing grace and the doctrine of adoption are brought together in close proximity. In Ephesians 1:5, for example, Paul extols God for every spiritual blessing in Christ, beginning with election. He writes, “…in love [God the Father] predestined us…” But notice what Paul writes next: “…in love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…”

Thus, adoption is the correlate of predestination. Ephesians 1:5 highlights, first, that predestination is a covenantal reality filtered through a Christ-centered lens. It also highlights, secondly, that adoption is a telos of election—one of its aims, purposes, or goals. Predestination, therefore, is not a cold or abstract doctrine—but a doctrine connected with the familial and spiritual reality of adoption, and all according to God’s good pleasure. 

The connection between election and adoption is also highlighted in Romans 8:29. Paul writes, “For those whom [God] foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers…” The Father sent Jesus in order to constitute a brotherhood (i.e. a family) of adopted children (or sons) over whom Christ would be firstborn (preeminent). God’s predestination of the elect is, therefore, purposive (notice Paul’s language, “so that”)—both in personal salvation (making individuals “brothers” with Christ) and in binding them into a “brotherhood of faith” (i.e. the church). 

Regeneration and Adoption

Like election and adoption, we also find that regeneration and adoption hold hands in the New Testament. In John 1:12, John writes, “But as many as received [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.” According to John, to believe in Jesus and to receive him mean the same thing. Saving faith is the gateway through which a person is given the “right” or “power” to become God’s child (see below). But where did that faith spring from? That faith sprang from a regenerated heart—which is highlighted by the language John uses: “…who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John states that in order to become an adopted child of God, a birth must take place—but this birth cannot be accomplished by fleshly means or desires. This “being born” is a reference to the spiritual rebirth (i.e. regeneration from or by the Holy Spirit) Jesus speaks about in John 3 to Nicodemus. Only a regenerated sinner can legitimately claim the title son of God, because only a regenerated sinner has had the spiritual surgery necessary to bring about saving reception of Christ. And that brings us to our final point. 

Saving Faith and Adoption

According to John 1:12, saving faith is the means whereby a sinner is turned into a son. This connection between saving faith and adoption is highlighted by Paul in Galatians 3:6, where he writes, “…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Notice the two correlating points. 1) Sonship takes place “in Christ Jesus.” In Christ the mediator, children of wrath become children of God. What amazing grace! 2) This sonship cannot be realized except “through faith” since faith is always the channel through which we receive God’s riches in Christ.

Application

Christian—God’s purpose in election was to make you his child. Relish in the grace that made you a son! Christian—God’s regenerating grace has caused you to be born again. You are God's child now. Praise him for his sovereign and irresistible grace! Christian—God’s gift of saving faith has made you a son through the Son, so that you are a rich inheritor of all God’s promises. Worship him today!