Significant Benefits of Being a "Child" of God

-Jon Irenicus

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The meaning or significance of Adoption becomes most apparent when we examine its results, the effects which it has in and upon the believer's life. One of these is, of course, forgiveness. In light of the fact that God has forgiven us, Paul urges us to forgive others:

• "Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ." Eph 4:32 (NLT)

We are to be kind and tenderhearted, since God our Father has not been grudging in forgiving us. He delights in forgiving; he is merciful, tenderhearted, and kind (Deut. 5:10; Pss. 103:8-14). He is not stern, harsh, or severe Father. He is not to be feared (in a sense, not excluding "holy fear"), but trusted. Our Adoption means that there is continued forgiveness. Were God only out Judge, our past sins would all be forgiven, but we would have no assurance of forgiveness of future wrongs.

In law, one cannot be convicted or acquitted before the act in question takes place; one cannot pay a fine or serve a sentence anticipatively. Only after the act itself can the penalty be paid and justification made. In stark contrast, we need not fear that God's grace will cease and that we will be treated severely if we slip once. God truly is our Father, not a policeman. We have peace with God, as Paul pointed out in Romans 5:1. Our adoption and God's forgiveness are eternal.

Our adoption also involves reconciliation. Not only has God forgiven us, but we also have been reconciled to him. We no longer carry enmity toward him. God has shown his love for us by taking the initiative in restoring the fellowship which was damaged by our sins. As Paul puts it,

• "But God demonstrates his love for us by the fact that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. . . . For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life!" Rom. 5:8 (ISV)

In Adoption both sides are reconciled to one another. There also is liberty for the children of God. The child of God is not a slave who obeys out of a sense of bondage or compulsion. Slaves live in fear of the consequences should they fail to carry out their obligations. But Paul points out that as God's children we need not fear consequences of failing to live up the law:

• "And all those who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not get the spirit of servants again to put you in fear, but the spirit of sons was given to you, by which we say, Abba, Father. The Spirit is witness with our spirit that we are children of God:" Rom. 8:14-15 (BBE)

A similar thought is expressed in Galatians 3:10-11. We are free persons. We are not obligated to the law in quite the way in which a slave or servant is. This liberty is not license, however. There are always some who pervert their freedom. Paul gave warning to such people:

• "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Gal. 5:13-16 (KJV)

Believers serve God not out of fear and pressure, but out of a higher motivation - their friendship with him. Jesus said,

• "And you are my friends, if you obey me. Servants don't know what their master is doing, and so I don't speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me." Jn. 15:14-15 (CEV)

Earlier in the same address he had made similar statements:

• "Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command. . . . If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like." Joh 14:15, 21 (CEV)

The believer keeps the commandments, not out of fear of a cruel and harsh master, but out of love for a kindly loving Father.

Moreover, Adoptions means that the Christian is the recipient of God's fatherly care. Paul noted that "we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint–heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:16-17, RV). As heirs we have available to us the unlimited resources of the Father. Paul pointed this out to the Philippians:

• "And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Php. 4:19 (ASV)

The believer can pray confidently, knowing that there is no limitation upon what God is able to do. According to Jesus, the Father who feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the fields cares even more for his human children (Matt 6:25-34). His provision is always wise and kind (Luke 11:11-13).

It should not be thought that God is indulgent or permissive, however. He is our heavenly Father, not our heavenly Grandfather. Thus, discipline is one of the features of our Adoption. In the letter to the Hebrews there is a rather extended discussion of this subject (Heb. 12:5-11). Quoting Proverbs 3:11-12, the writer comments:

• "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Heb. 12:7 (NIV)

Discipline may not be pleasant at the moment of application, but it is beneficial in the long term. It is to be remembered that love is concern and action for the ultimate welfare of another. Therefore, discipline should be thought of as evidence of love rather than as evidence of lack of love. It may not always be thought of as a benefit of Adoption, but it is a benefit nonetheless.

God several times referred to Israel as his own son (Exod. 4:22; Her. 31:9; His. 11:1) As unruly and rebellious as this son was, God did not cast him away. We need not be worried, then, that God will discard us when we stray. If he clung to Israel through all of their iniquity as recorded in the Old Testament, he will be patient with us as well, showing persistent, faithful kindness.

He is ours and we are his, and he through Adoption extends to us all the benefits his measureless love can bestow. Regarding Adoption, the London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) beautifully states:

[12.1] God has vouchsafed, that in Christ, His only Son, and for His sake, all those who are justified shall be made partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number of the children of God and enjoy their liberties and privileges. They have His name put upon them, and receive the Spirit of adoption. They have access to the throne of grace with boldness, and are enabled to cry, 'Abba, Father!' They are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a father, yet they are never cast off, but are sealed to the day of redemption, when they inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation. [London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), XII. 1]

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