Romans 8:15. Adopted

We used to sing a chorus in church some years ago. Perhaps you remember it.

I’m so glad I’m a part
of the family of God –
I’ve been washed in the fountain,
cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus
as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family
The family of God.

That’s exactly what happened the moment we asked Christ to forgive us our sins and invited Him to be our Lord and Savior. In that moment, we were adopted into the family of God. When a child is adopted, there are several things that occur that is true for us who have been adopted into God’s family.

When a child is adopted, she receives a new name. In the state where I live, and adopted child’s original birth certificate is destroyed and a new one is issued showing the adoptive parents as the child’s parents. When we accept the free gifts of salvation by faith through Jesus, we too receive a new name. In Isaiah 62:2, it says, “and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” There are several times in the Bible where God gives someone a new name. Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah. Jacob was renamed Israel. Simon became Peter. Jesus Himself has picked out a new name for each of us. Have you ever stopped to wonder what your new name will be?

When a child is adopted, he receives a new family. He receives new parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. As we are adopted into God family, we not only get God as our Father, we become part of the family of God that makes up all the Christians throughout time and across the whole globe. Now that’s a big family and just think about the family reunion we will have when we are all in heaven together!

When a child is adopted, he receives a new position. Prior to the adoption the child is an orphan, whether due to its parents death or the parents surrendering their rights. When adoption occurs, the child’s new position is son or daughter of the adoptive parents. Prior to salvation, our position is condemned as a sinner. Once adopted, our position becomes a son or daughter of God with all the rights and privileges that come with being His child – including eternal life. That makes us all princes and princesses.

When a child is adopted, she receives a new inheritance. If the adoptive parents have biological children, the adopted child is as entitled to an equal share of the inheritance as the other children. Once adopted into God’s family, we become joint heirs with Jesus. Romans 8:16 says, “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.” Part of that inheritance is to receive glorified bodies that will live forever.

When a child is adopted, he receives a new home. There’s an southern gospel song that says, “this world is not my home, I’m just passing through.”  “As a child of God, our home is in heaven and Jesus is there now preparing a place for us. (John 14). Heaven is our eternal home and there we will gather with all the saints, angels, Jesus, and God. Revelation 21:4 tells us that in our new home, Jesus will wipe away every tear, there will be no more death or mourning or crying. We also find in this chapter that the streets are gold, the gates, are pearls, and its walls are made with precious stones. Heaven is a city designed and built by God and while we can find glimpses in the Bible telling us what Heaven is like, 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “What no eye has seen, nor ear hear, no the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” Heaven is so spectacular that it would be beyond our human minds to comprehend all of its glory – and every bit of it is our new home. 

There is one difference between a child being adopted and our adoption into God family. A child has most often has no choice or say in the matter. However, being adopted into God’s family is entirely our choice. (Click to tweet)  We choose whether to accept Christ’s free gift of salvation through faith or we reject Him. Those who reject Him will have no place in the family of God and there will be no inheritance for them. All that await them are the wages of their sin – which is eternal death in the lake of fire, where the worm never dies and the flames are never quenched – a place called Hell. What’s your choice? Adoption into the family of God or will you reject Him? If you choose to accept Him as your Savior, then I will see you there.

 

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Looking for a speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events.
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Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants.

Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.

With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities.

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