Steve Hofmaier

Chapter 12: Of Adoption

As guilty sinners, one of the greatest blessings imaginable is to have our sins pardoned and our persons accepted by God as righteous. Indeed, this blessing of justification, the central message of the gospel, is news that seems too good to be true. However, although it may be hard to imagine a greater blessing, in reality one exists. For in the blessing of justification, the judge declares the guilty slave innocent based on the blood and righteousness of Jesus, but in the blessing of adoption, the judge then goes farther and takes the rebel home as no longer a slave nor a rebel, but a beloved son of a loving Father. As the Scriptures say, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” (1 John 3:1) This love and this blessing are the topic of the current chapter of the Confession of Faith.

We can outline the chapter, which contains only one paragraph, in the following way:

I. The foundation of adoption
A. It source: “God vouchsafed”
B. Its recipients: “all those that are justified”
C. Its ground: “in and for the sake of His only Son Jesus Christ”
II. The blessings of adoption
A. Incorporation into God’s family
B. Disposition of a son toward God
C. Communion with God as a son with his father
D. Experience of fatherly treatment by God
E. Reception of the promised inheritance

Let us now look at these divisions in more detail.

I. The foundation of adoption

A. It source: “God vouchsafed”

From the start of the chapter the confession identifies for us the author of our adoption. It is none other than God the Father. The same God who justifies us as the judge in heaven’s criminal court is the God who adopts us in its civil or family court. For adoption, like justification, is a legal term and a legal act. It is taking an outsider, an “alien,” and placing him in another family than that which was by nature his own. He was a child of the devil (John 8:44), a son of disobedience, and now he is legally declared to be a child of God. It involves granting him the legal status of a son, with all its corresponding privileges and responsibilities. We will examine in more detail the nature and blessings of adoption, but we begin by recognizing that this is a once-for-all legal act of God himself, with all the finality and certainty that this truth involves.

Furthermore, the confession indicates the manner in which God grants this blessing. It is “vouchsafed” to us. This is not a common word and it means to grant as a gift a special favor or privilege. It is nothing we are able to earn or deserve, but a blessing freely and graciously given. There is no way that rebels, who are by nature children of wrath (Eph 2:1-2), could deserve to be called children of God. Rather, in his grace God grants this privilege totally apart from our merit, or rather, our demerit.

A. Its recipients: “all those that are justified”

The confession also begins by making it evident that this blessing of adoption is given to all who are saved. Everyone who is justified, who was foreknown, predestined, and called according to God’s purpose, is also adopted. Ephesians 1:4 5 makes this clear. “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, . . . ” In Romans 8:30, predestination is prior to justification, and here it is prior to adoption. All who are predestinated are both justified and adopted.

It should be added at this point that the means of receiving this grace is just the same as the means of receiving justification. It is not by works, nor by anything done in us or by us, but received by faith alone. This is plainly seen in John 1:12 13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The blessing is contingent upon receiving Christ, which is paralleled in the text with believing in the name of Christ. These are the ones who are both justified and adopted – those who believe in Jesus.

A. Its ground: “in and for the sake of His only Son Jesus Christ”

Along with all the other blessings of salvation that we enjoy, adoption comes to us only through Jesus Christ, that is, in union with him. He is THE only begotten Son of God; we in union with him are adopted into God’s family as his sons. It is through Jesus Christ, Eph 1:5, “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself.” It is to as many as receive him that are given the right to become sons of God (John 1:12). No one is adopted into God’s family who is not united by faith to Jesus Christ. As the sinner is savingly joined to Jesus by faith, the status of Jesus as God’s son becomes his. The importance of this fact is that the blessing of adoption is gained not by our merit, but because of the unique work of God’s unique Son, Jesus.

I. The blessings of adoption

Having laid the foundation of the doctrine of adoption with regard to its author, recipients, and basis, the confession goes on to outline the blessings that this grace conveys. The first of these blessings is more of a definition of adoption and tells us the essence of what it involves.

A. Incorporation into God’s family

By definition, to be adopted is to be taken into a family that you were not born into in the natural way. God has a natural born Son, his “only-begotten Son,” Jesus. Though liberal theology has long spoken of “the universal brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God,” in reality men are by nature “children of wrath, even as the rest.” There is a sense in which God is the father of all his creation. This is spoken of in Acts 17:26 28, “He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’ ” However, it is evident that this does not refer to the blessed condition of those who are adopted into God’s family. It refers to the origin of life, to the dependency of every human being upon God for their very existence, including life, breath and all things. Though we might refer to this as “creative sonship,” it is far from the exalted position of those who are enjoying the special relationship of sons of God by adoption. From being slaves of sin, converted sinners are brought into God’s family as his own dear children.

One of the privileges of sons is that they bear the name of their father. We even call this surname our family name. So also, those who are adopted into God’s family are given his name as a token of this relationship. Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold.” What name can be better than the one God bestows on his children? Yet this is the promise to his people in the following texts: “And I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.” (Revelation 14:1) Even in the Old Testament it is promised to “the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,” that is, to peoples from every tribe and tongue that shall come to him, “To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off.” (Isaiah 56:5)

A. Disposition of a son toward God

Furthermore, we must note that adoption is not a blessing in name only. With the name is given also an appropriate heart attitude and a true, loving relationship. Romans 8:15 contrasts this disposition with that of a slave: “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” There is no longer the demeanor of a slave, cringing in fear, but the heart of a son, drawing near to his heavenly Father in love and trust and comfort. The son’s obedience to his heavenly Father is given freely in love, not like that of a slave who obeys in fear of the whip. In the place of fear there is a desire to please the God who is his loving provider and protector. Instead of looking to God with terror, he is regarded with love and joy. Instead of dreading his presence, he is eagerly sought after. Instead of desiring to shrink back from God, there is delight in his company. The attitude is that of the psalmist in Psalm 73:28 “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good.” Just as a little child calls to his father, “Daddy!” (perhaps the closest English equivalent of “Abba!”) so our hearts cry to God.

This spirit of adoption is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, as the next verse says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16). Some have wrongly drawn the conclusion from this that our certainty of salvation then depends solely on an inward feeling produced by the Spirit. Because they have certain warm feelings toward God, they conclude that they are most assuredly his children in spite of their ungodly behaviour. Though men may deceive themselves and base their assurance of life on subjective feelings without objective basis, the Holy Spirit never truly gives the spirit of adoption to those who do not also by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13), or who are not led by the Spirit (verse 14), but rather whose minds are still set on the flesh (verses 6-8). We must remember that this inward witness of the Spirit is only one of the pillars of our assurance of salvation, and must also be accompanied by faith in God’s promised salvation (John 1:12), and possession of the fruit of a changed life (1 John 3:10).

A. Communion with God as a son with his father

Because a Christian has the spirit of adoption, and is truly a member of God’s own family, he also has free access to God. Just as a son can interrupt a father and come into his presence at any time, for what may seem to be trivial reasons, so the Christian has access to the throne of God at all times. A stranger or outsider may well tremble to draw near, and fear lest the royal scepter of acceptance be stretched out towards him, but the son has no such trouble. He has access to the throne of grace with boldness. “. . . for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18) The Jew might claim to be God’s son through his descent from Israel, as we read in Hosea 11:1, ” When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.” But now through Christ, both Jew and Gentile believers have access to the Father in Him. We can walk with him and fellowship with him, even as Jesus our firstborn brother does. “. . . indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)

A. Experience of paternal treatment by God

Under this heading we include the next several phrases in the confession which speak of the Father’s caring condescension to love his adopted sons in ways that transcend that of the most tender earthly fathers.

First, they are “pitied” by their heavenly Father. This speaks of God’s sympathizing with our weakness. We read in Psalm 103:13, “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” God has compassion on his sons. He does not delight in our hurt. Just as a child runs to his Father with a hurt knee, and is treated lovingly and gently, so we can run to him with our burdens and cast them on him knowing that he cares for us. He will never turn us away in impatience, frustration, or anger.

Second, they are “protected.” This speaks of God guarding and keeping his own. Proverbs 14:26 tells us, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.” A good father protects his children from harm, and does not allow them to encounter difficulties beyond what they can handle. He will come between them and danger. Of course, to train them he will encourage them to grow so as to overcome their own difficulties, and gain strength for the battles of life. So also, God has promised to guard and protect us and not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able. (1 Cor 10:13) However, he trains us so that we will be able to bear more and more for the demonstration of the power of his grace.

Third, they are “provided for.” Matthew 6:30-33 declares, “But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Our heavenly Father knows our needs and has pledged himself by his truth and power to provide all that is needed. Not luxuries or delicacies, but all our necessities and an abundance besides. Paul directs Timothy to “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17 Our Father is gracious in his gifts to his children – truly a prodigal Father.

Fourth, because of God’s loving wisdom, his children are “chastened.” Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” This is one of our chief mercies. You can tell children that are loved – they are disciplined and taught right from wrong. Children that are not loved are allowed to get their own way, to display their selfishness, to bully and badger others, to have temper tantrums. Brethren, if you are disciplined, it is a sign of God’s love. If you are without discipline, you are a bastard, and not a true son of God. Do you appreciate this token of God’s love? Do you groan under the rod? Do you chafe at his restraint and kick against the goads? Learn to accept it as for your good, that you might share in his holiness and enter his joy.

The fifth aspect of God’s parental treatment to his children is that they are never cast off, but sealed for the day of redemption. God’s faithfulness to his adopted children is declared in such texts as Lamentations 3:31 32, “For the Lord will not reject forever, 32 For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness.” So also Ephesians 4:30, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Whom he adopts he seals, with the accompanying safety and security that brings. The point is that Gods adopted children do not need to fear that they might be cast off. The danger is that they cast off God and go back to the world, in which they show they were never his true sons. But for a true adopted son to be cast off? It will never happen!

A. Reception of the promised inheritance

Finally, the confession declares that God’s adopted sons and daughters have as one of their privileges that they will “inherit the promises, as heirs, of everlasting Salvation.” The clearest text which lays before us this blessed anticipation is 1 Peter 1:3-4. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” As born again children of God, we are not left as orphans. We have a great, priceless inheritance which does not rust, cannot be stolen, and is reserved for us by God himself. The heavenly Jerusalem is our home, and the greatest blessing is that God our Father will dwell among us. (Revelation 21:1-7)

In conclusion, what shall we say to these things? “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.” The heights of privilege and blessing belong to the people of God, for not only may we say, “How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Psalm 144:15) We may also add, how blessed are the people whose Father is the Lord! If we are in Christ Jesus, we are God’s beloved children, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Dear friend who is still holding back and sitting on the fence, what is keeping you from Christ? Can the world offer any more than this? Can the passing pleasures of sin compare with the eternal weight of glory of the inheritance of the children of God? Can the feeble embrace of a human relationship grant anything to compare to the security and safety of the everlasting arms of the eternal Father? I pray that you may be made jealous of the privilege of a Christian and run from the world to embrace Christ.

Dear fellow believers in Jesus, what should this doctrine of adoption mean to you? First, you should appreciate and delight in the privilege that is yours to be brought into such a family. Abandoned children in an orphanage may long for the blessedness of those who are taken out to be adopted into a happy, loving, caring family in which all their needs will be provided, but consider that this is what you have already received! You were once not a people, but now you are the people of God. You were once strangers and now you are sons. You were once slaves of sin, and now you are children of the heavenly Father. Praise God for his goodness and grace to sinners such as we are!

But remember, too, that with privileges come responsibilities. If by grace you have been brought into such a relationship with God, there is a responsibility to draw near to your Father. An earthly father is grieved if his children neglect him, and do not speak to him. Fathers, how would you look upon it if you came home from work and walked into the room where your children were, yet they totally ignored you? If in the morning they would not even greet you? The point is that we have a relationship to sustain, and this is done by communication. We ought to be much in communion with our Father in heaven, even as Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father, who is in heaven.” The truth of his Fatherly care for us ought to draw us to his throne more and more.

Another responsibility that devolves upon us is to bear the family resemblance. “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) This means we are to walk so as to please him and not the world. An earthly father may tell his son, “You bear the family name. Keep from tarnishing it in the world.” So our heavenly Father tells us, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles.” (1 Peter 2:12) In fact, he tells us, “And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth.” (1 Peter 1:17) We need not hold back from approaching God since he is our Father, but we must remember that our Father is also the judge. This keeps us from taking our relationship for granted and therefore becoming like spoiled brats in the world.

Furthermore, we ought to bless God for the comfort of his rod and his staff. As many children grow up to thank their parents that they were disciplined and taught right from wrong, let us now in the midst of the discipline give our heavenly Father thanks. When he comes to us with the rod of chastisement, let us not faint under it nor shrug it off lightly. Let us take it to heart gratefully and learn from it the lessons he desires to teach, that we might grow in holiness, and be made ready for life with him in glory.

Lastly, let us learn to trust God in adversity. He has promised us that no trial or temptation shall overtake us but such as he will also give us a way of escape or the grace to endure. We have a Father who is all-wise and all-powerful. He will not stand by while his children are brutalized. He will not suffer your foot to slip. Persecution and tribulation will not separate you from his love. Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

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