In the previous two blog posts (part 2 and part 3), we looked at how all the elements of salvation from election to glorification are connected with the Christian’s adoption. In this post we examine the question, “What privileges does the child of God have on account of their adoption?” We will look at three particular privileges.
1) The Indwelling Holy Spirit
The gift of the Holy Spirit is directly linked with the reality of adoption in Scripture. In Galatians 4:4-6, Paul writes, “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.” Christ came to redeem his people in order to adopt his people. But notice what Paul says next, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
The reality of adoption is the ground on which God sends the Spirit into Christian hearts! This means that all who partake of the Spirit are (necessarily) sons of God.
In Romans 8:14-15, Paul brings out this connection further. He writes, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Notice how Paul can argue from the leading of the Spirit back to the reality of adoption. If a person has the Spirit of God within him or her then he or she must be a son of God. Paul writes, “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.” Notice that the Holy Spirit is specifically called the Spirit of adoption in this verse, indicating that his indwelling presence is intimately tied to the doctrine and experience of Christian adoption.
Three further privileges based on the gift of the indwelling Spirit that accrue to God’s children are: 1) access to God (Ephesians 2:18) 2) intimacy in prayer (“Abba, Father!”) 3) assurance of salvation (Romans 8:16).
2) Heirship/Inheritance
Any time the Bible speaks about Christians being heirs or having an inheritance, adoptive language is being used. Through adoption, Christians have the promise of a rich inheritance awaiting them—one that is imperishable, unspoiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).
In Galatians 4:7, Paul highlights that the sons of God in Christ are necessarily heirs of God through Christ. “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Heirship is directly tied to the Christian’s adoption. Romans 8:16-17 states the same point. Paul writes, “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.”
On the basis of what we are (God’s children), we necessary have an inheritance, which Paul outlines as being “glorified together” with Christ. In the Bible, this inheritance is also called receiving the kingdom (Luke 12:32), the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21-22), the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12), glory (Hebrews 2:10), and the world to come (Hebrews 2:5). Christians inherit all things (Revelation 21:7)!
This inheritance has both personal and societal ramifications. Personally, Christians will be raised to a new and glorified life (Colossians 3:4), will shine like the sun (Matthew 13:43), will be made inherently righteous (Matthew 5:6), and will receive the beatific vision (1 John 3:2). Societally, all of God’s redeemed children will reign with Christ forever (Revelation 22:5). Then the prayer-wishes of Psalm 72 will become reality, and we will experience realities currently unimaginable (1 Corinthians 2:9).
3) A New Family/Community
“Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” Christ asked this question during his ministry when he was told that his family was waiting to speak to him. In response, he stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:48-50). Jesus was clearly forming around himself a new spiritual family united by faith in him. It is a privilege of adopted children to belong to this family!
Having been called out of darkness, Christians are no longer “in Adam” but “in Christ” their federal head. In fellowship with Christ, they are brought into the fellowship of a multi-ethnic family of disciples called the church. This brotherhood is mentioned by Paul in Romans 8:28, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The church is the blood-bought brotherhood of Christ!
Paul also calls the church the household of faith, indicating the familial nature of ecclesiology. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). This blessing and privilege of belonging to Christ’s family is highlighted by the amount of times the words “brethren” and “brothers” are used in the New Testament epistles.
A further privilege based on belonging to God’s family is having fellowship with our brothers at the Lord’s Supper, where all of God's sons feast from the King’s table in foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb.
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