The Privileges of Adoption

The Privileges of Adoption

Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "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 joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Introduction:

Over a year ago I was doing a series of messages on the book of Romans and I preached a couple of sermons on the eighth chapter of Romans. In one of those sermons I spoke about our spiritual adoption into the family of God as a result of our salvation by the grace of God. Today I would like to revisit the subject from a slightly different perspective.

The concept of adoption is a tremendous subject to consider. A theologian by the name of J.I. Packer made a comment about adoption that I can’t exactly recall the way he wrote it, but he emphasized the point that if we truly could grasp the full meaning of being adopted by God, it would produce in us unspeakable joy and undying devotion.

When we think about adoption, we can understand that there are wonderful privileges offered to a son or daughter that were not available to them prior to the adoption.

When my parents were still living, there were various privileges that I had when I went home that were greater and better than what any other person experienced.

• Walk in anytime, lie down on couch, kick off shoes, etc.
• Go to the frig to get something to eat
• Kiss the cook!

It is the same way now with our own children when they come to visit us.

The same concept holds true when we are born again and are adopted by God as His child. There are many privileges available to the Christian that non-believers cannot enjoy or take advantage of. The Apostle Paul describes a few of those privileges here in Romans 8.

Before we talk specifically about the privileges Paul has mentioned, let’s remember that adoption is the experience of those who are living a life that is under control of the Spirit, rather than under the control of the flesh.

v. 14. “for” – conjunction, tying this statement in with the preceding information.

Let us study this well-known passage of Scripture together to discover three privileges offered to the sons and daughters of God. They are: A Constant Freedom; A Constant Witness; & A Constant Inheritance.

I.    A Constant Freedom (v. 15)

A. Negatively – not this… did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear

“spirit” – lit. breath, wind; mental disposition, attitude, vital principle

“bondage” – slavery, compulsory service

“fear” – alarm, fear, terror; same word from which we get the word “phobia.”

Paul has just been talking about living according to the flesh vs. living according to the Spirit. The bondage referred to here is the bondage and slavery to the impulses, desires and control of the fleshly appetites and drives, i.e. being controlled by them rather than having them under the control of the Spirit.

B. Positively – but this… but you received the Spirit of adoption

“Spirit” – same Greek word as previous use, but probably a reference to the Holy Spirit here.

“Adoption” – a compound word that includes the Greek word for “son” so it literally carries the idea of “sonship” or becoming a child of the one who is adopting.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Galatians 3:26 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:4-6 (NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

The adopted child had all the rights and privileges of any natural born child. The result is that we cry “Abba Father!” (lit. father, father; or dear father. Not a distant, merely transcendent being, but a dear, loving, father in heaven. Compare the Lord’s Prayer.

One of the blessed privileges of being a child of God is the victory He gives over the bondage to the flesh and the joy of knowing the sovereign God as “Dear Father.”

There is a clear analogy being implied here contrasting the life of a slave with the life of the master’s son.

II.  A Constant Witness (v. 16)

Romans 8:16 (NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

(Wuest's Word Studies) “Beareth witness with" is summartureō, …"to bear joint-testimony with" some other person. "Our spirit" refers to the … human spirit energized by the Holy Spirit.

Denney says; … “Our own spirit tells us we are God's children, but the voice with which it speaks is, … prompted and inspired by the divine Spirit itself."

Alford's note is helpful: "What is this witness of the Spirit itself? All have agreed, and indeed this verse is decisive for it, that it is something separate from and higher than all subjective inferences and conclusions. But on the other hand, it does not consist in mere indefinite feeling, but in a certitude of the Spirit's presence and work continually within us. It is manifested, as Olshausen beautifully says, 'in His comforting us, His stirring us up to prayer, His reproof of our sins, His drawing us to works of love, to bear testimony before the world, etc.'

Our spirit confirms what we recognize as the activity of the Holy Spirit within our hearts and lives in ways that had not been true before we came to faith.

III. A Constant Inheritance (v. 17)

Romans 8:17 (NKJV) and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Gal. 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

As we stated earlier, the rights of the adopted child were equal to the full rights and status of a natural born child. Therefore, the adopted son is not shut out of the inheritance, but has legal right to all the possessions of the father.

“if indeed we suffer” – many believe that Paul is indicating that suffering is a pre-requisite for inheriting what God has reserved for His children. It seems that it could also be emphasizing this thought – even if we go through suffering for the sake of Christ and in the name of Christ, we will eventually inherit all the blessings of glory because we are adopted children of God. For, it is in times of suffering and adversity that the enemy of our soul comes in like a flood and tries to convince us that God is angry with us and has disowned us and is preparing judgment for us, but we must not give in and give up. It is in those moments of the enemy’s attacks that we must reaffirm our faith in Christ as the only hope of salvation; we must reaffirm our commitment to follow Him and love him; and we must reaffirm our faith in His words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you!”

The next paragraph in chapter 8 develops the idea of suffering now and glory then.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for those that love Him.”

Conclusion:

Are you a true child of God?

Have you really been adopted into His family by faith in Jesus Christ, and now enjoying the privileges available only to His children?

Are you experiencing freedom from the bondage of the fleshly nature and its desires?

Are you enjoying the witness of the Spirit that you are a child of God?

Are you anticipating the glory that awaits all of God’s children in eternity?

All of these things are offered to anyone who will be totally committed to Jesus.