September 28
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD / PART 5
ADOPTION
-Romans 8:15,23 states, … For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father … And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our
body …
According to Andrew Telford:
-"What does "Adoption" really mean? It does not mean what we usually take it to mean. Neither does it mean the
"adopting of a child." "Adoption" in the Bible does not mean the same as the word "Adoption" when used in relation to the
legal transaction of receiving into the family as a son or daughter, a child who has been born of other parents. Evidently
the translators failed to find a word in the English language that would express to us clearly, the full meaning of the transaction
of God Almighty, when God by a divine act, placed a certain destination and position for the believer. The translators have
used the word "Adoption" as the only word at their disposal, to express this act of God. "Adoption" means to be "Son-Placed",
not "son-made". You are made a Son the moment you are saved by God's grace. Now, as a son there are certain privileges and
benefits God by His sovereign acts has provided for those who are saved. No one has been "son-placed" as yet. One time you
will be. You belong to the Lord Jesus Christ now, just as much as you ever will. You have not arrived at the goal which God
has predestinated you to-which goal is "Adoption" (Ephesians 1:6). In the early days of the Roman Empire when a boy was born
into the family, he was cared for by his parents till he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of twenty-one, they took
the child and there placed him in the market place before the public. He was "son-placed". From that time on he could sign
his own name to legal documents, and went forward with the full authority of a man. This act at the market place did not make
him a son; he was a son when he was born into his parents' family. At the age of twenty-one he was "son-placed". "Adoption"
is a definite act of God whereby God sets a goal for the believer. What does Paul mean by the "firstfruits of the Spirit"?
The "firstfruits" in the life of any believer is pardon, forgiveness, acceptance, security, sanctification. Do you notice
that "Adoption" is not mentioned here among the "firstfruits of the Spirit"? "Adoption" belongs among the "last fruits" of
the Spirit. Paul tells us that we should have the "firstfruits of the Spirit", groaning within ourselves and waiting for something
to take place. What is that something that Paul and the saints in Rome were waiting for? It is called by the Spirit of God
in this verse the "Adoption". He then tells us when it will take place --at the redemption of our bodies. This verse gives
us two reasons which tell us that the time of "Adoption" is future. The first proof or reason that "Adoption" is still future
is that we are waiting for the "Adoption" to wit. It could not have taken place if they were waiting for "Adoption" to happen
at some future time. In the closing part of the verse, it tells us that it will take place at the redemption of our bodies.
We now have redeemed souls in unredeemed bodies." ( Subjects Of Sovereignty, Andrew Telford )
-This will take place for the overcomers … -AT THE FIRST RESURRECTION!-