One might think that God has reached His limit. What more is there to give? He sends His Son as the sacrifice that redeems us from death. He gives us forgiveness and clears our record. Then, rather than leaving our record blank, God writes in the astonishing new entry that calls us “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Rather than just letting us live, God gives us “life… abundantly” (John 10:10).
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:16). M
What a privilege and comfort for us to hear Jesus say, “You are My friends”!7 Yet God piles grace higher. He goes far beyond friendship, and brings us into the closest relationship possible – sonship!
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). M
He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-6).
When Paul writes about adoption, he knows how seriously his readers take that subject. Roman law strictly controls the many steps in the adoption process. The person to be adopted must be purchased (the law’s term is “ransomed”) from the person’s parents, guardians or slave-owners. Once the transaction is complete, the adopted person loses all ties with his past. Even his former debts are cancelled. He begins a completely new life. Whether a child or an adult, he comes under the full authority of his adoptive father. There is no legal difference between a natural son and an adopted son. As the Gospel unfolds, we realize that God, too, is completely serious. He follows all the steps that ensure a true and correct adoption.
7. Research subject – Friendship with God: John 15:14-15; Luke 7:34; John 11:11; 21:5; Romans 5:10-11; James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7. “Reconcile” is a word for restoring friendship Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-22; Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Pictures:
- A stone slab, discovered in 1929 near Corinth’s theater, has the carved words: “Erastus, commissioner for public works, laid this pavement at his own expense.” Romans 16:23 sends Christian greetings from “Erastus, the city treasure.” This Erastus was far more than an important official. He was an adopted son of God.
- A Corinthian statue of Caesar Augustus illustrates the power of adoption. Rome’s greatest ruler, Julius Caesar, adopted Gaius Octavius and renamed him Octavianus Caesar. He became, as Julius’ heir, Rome’s first emperor. He later received the honorary title “Augustus,” thus the name “Caesar Augustus” (Luke 2:1). A greater adoption by a greater Father gives us a greater name and a greater inheritance.