Do you need good news today?

One of the fruits of the gospel besides justification and sanctification is adoption. The New Testament says that as soon as a person repents of sin and puts his or her faith in Christ, he or she is adopted into the family of God. It can truly be said that adoption is a higher blessing than even justification and sanctification. Theologian John Murray wrote, “Adoption is the apex of redemptive grace and privilege.” Because of adoption, God is no longer just your Creator, Lawgiver, and Judge. To one who trusts in Jesus, he is your Father.

What is adoption? The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines it this way: “Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.”

Here’s a list of ten practical benefits of adoption (there are more!):

1. Adoption means God wanted you to be in his family. He chose you to be his child before you were even born (Eph 1.5).
2. It means God will never let you go. He is protecting you and providing for you all the time, even when you don’t see it. Furthermore, he will be sure to get you home (Jn 10.28-29).
3. It means you have continual access to God and can call him by the most intimate of terms: “Abba! Father!” (Eph 2.18, Rom 8.15).
4. It means God has made you brand new. You are a new creation (2 Cor 5.17).
5. It means God’s attitude toward you is always one of love, even when you fail (Col 2.13-14).
6. It means that Jesus is your elder brother (Heb 2.11).
7. It means you will be disciplined in love when you go astray (Heb 12.5-11).
8. It means you are a member of the household of faith (the church), along with all others who trust in Christ (Eph 2.19).
9. It means you have a glorious inheritance awaiting you (1 Peter 1.3-5).
10. It means you have a great incentive to aspire after godliness and share Christ’s love with others (Mt 5.16).

Church leader, think often of your adoption. Let it bring you security, assurance, and joy.

My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear.
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.