It is by the Spirit of adoption that we find ourselves increasingly longing for the full realization of our salvation in Christ—the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). Peter Adam writes: The Holy Spirit within reminds us that we are God’s children, and prompts us to call on God our Father (Romans 8:15-16). The presence […]

The Spirit’s Adoptive Work The work of the Spirit in adoption is two-fold. He provides us with inner and outer experiences of our adoption, both of which are inextricably connected. As we noted in part 9, adoption as sons was redemption’s primary objective. When “God sent forth his Son” at the climax of the story […]

How real to you is the astounding reality of God’s delight in you as his beloved child? Believing that God is for us and not against us is one of the greatest challenges of daily Christian living.  If you’re finding the reality of God’s love for you difficult to believe today, be encouraged by these […]

We are pleased to announce that the next Together for Adoption (T4A) conference will be held at Christ Community Church (Franklin, TN) on October 2-3, 2009. The uniqueness of T4A’s conferences is that they focus primarily on vertical adoption (i.e., God adoptingus in Christ), with a secondary and necessary focus on its profound implications for orphan […]

I recently came across this soul-stirring quote in Luther on Galatians. He is commenting here on Gal 4:7 and our inheritance as sons of God – We are not the heirs of some rich and mighty man, but heirs of God, the almighty Creator of all things. If a person could fully appreciate what it […]

Jesus’ Mission Now we come to the climax of God’s story of redemption.  Let me set this up by looking at what Matthew does in chapter 2 of his Gospel to introduce Jesus’ Messianic mission. He makes a striking contrast between God’s son, Israel, and God’s Son, Jesus. Matthew is clear, whereas Israel, according to […]

In his article “Adoption: The Heart of the Gospel,” adoptive father, Thomas White, writes: While waiting to check out, a gray-haired lady peeked around the side of a large beaded purse. My daughter smiled, and the game began. The lady asked, “Where does her reddish hair come from?” I responded, “She’s adopted.” Her jovial expression […]

If you haven’t watched this yet, let me encourage you to do so.

Israel’s Adoption In part 7, I briefly argued that God raised up Abraham to address the catastrophic problem of man’s lost sonship. The Apostle Paul is clear on this, God’s promises to Abraham anticipated our “adoption as sons.” But here’s the question: When did God’s work through Abraham to address man’s lost sonship really begin […]

Commenting on what God has done in the death and resurrection of Jesus, Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen write: “We who are born into the sinful race of Adam are restored to God by receiving his gift of adoption (Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:4).  The same Spirit that lived in Jesus is poured into our own […]

The Entrance of Sin As we saw in part 6, Adam was given the unparalleled privilege of communing with God as His created son (Luke 3:38). Man was created by God to share in the ever-flowing reciprocal love that had eternally existed between the Father and the eternal Son. It was our Triune God’s will […]

Jason Kovacs and I have the privilege of doing breakout sessions at the upcoming Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit (April 30 – May 1). The Financial Challenge of Adoption & How the Church Can Respond (Wendy Cosby, Shaohannah’s Hope; Jason Kovacs, ABBA Fund; Andy Lehman, Lifesong) – The financial cost of adoption is a very […]