The act of assuming parental care and responsibility of a person who is not one's own, and the converse, the act of appropriating-embracing the gift of parental care and heirdom given by another person who has taken us on as his/her own child. This the NT teaches clearly is what God, in Christ, has done for us fallen sinners. John 1:12-13 sums this up in its declaration that "all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." It is the supreme gift Christians enjoy in Christ; it is the blessing that permits us, by the enabling of the Holy Spirit, to turn to God and call him, "Father."
So important is this doctrine to the Christian faith, J. I. Packer asserts,
Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption. . . . If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.
(An fuller exposition on the subjection is in progress. To view what is already available Click here)
The doctrine of adoption deserves preaching more frequently.
©ALBERITH
201021lch