In theology when looking at the doctrine of salvation, we are discussing an area known as soteriology. In many world religions, whether we are talking about Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Muslim or even Christianity, the doctrine of soteriology is not unique. Most religions offer some way in which a person can be saved. Hinduism seems to offer some liberation ( emancipation) of the soul from the body. Christianity is unique in that it offers salvation in a personal way by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. This stands out in stark contrast to other religions in that it involves a loving God that is triune in nature, but one Lord who chose to take on human flesh to save and redeem his children back into sonship.

Salvation in Christianity can take on many images that can help address and explain what the Bible means in terms of God saving man that was made in His image. These include adoption, justification, election, redemption, sanctification, conversion, glorification, and regeneration. All point to the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross and are a gift and work of God. I will discuss adoption, which is properly defined as God making people part of the family and conveys a higher level of intimacy with God ( Etzel and Small, p 199). Historically, adoption is pictured in The Old Testament with Moses, Esther and Genubath, but mostly in The New Testament.

While Israel is called God’s son ( Exo 4:22) it is not called adoption until The New Testament ( Piper . 2007), where we see Paul saying “ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery, but you have recieved the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “ Abba Father!”
(Rom 8:15-16). John also says “ He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.

But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name. Finally in Galatians we see “ God sent forth His son to redeem those under the law, so that we may receive adoption as sons. ( Gal 4:4-5).

The point has come where we need to discuss the problem of sin with humanity and what this has done to the father/child relationship. This is also a very controversial and problematic area for many people to grasp because it deals with the idea that not everyone is a legitimate child of God. Going back to the creation account in Genesis, we see that man was made in the image of God and there was perfect fellowship. However, when Adam and Eve chose willingly to sin, man was cursed from that point on and the fellowship with God had been broken. Humanity was separated from God and had no longer any rights of sonship to the father. Sin is lawlessness and God is Holy.

The entire story of The Bible is about redemption from the point of the fall onward looking to Jesus Christ; who is the main character and came to save all those who were lost. Salvation is a gift from the Lord so nobody can boast ( Ephesians 2:9). To receive adoption back into God’s family, the only way is through faith in Jesus Christ. He took on our sin and we can receive his righteousness. It is through this way that we can be children of God. If you have chosen to reject Jesus as Lord and savior, you are not a child of God.

I grew up in a family with two older brothers in which there was much family division in the home. My father was a hard worker who was consumed with his job. At the age of seven, my parents divorced and this threw my entire life in a spiral of chaos.

I moved to different schools and shut down socially. I was not able to make friends and certainly was struggling with not having a father there. My brother relationships were strained and I grew up wanting to know what it was like to have a true brother and father to love on. In Tim Keller’s Book The Prodigal God, we see The parable of two lost sons, where both are alienated from the father. One tries to earn favor, while the other is out with the pigs. This was me and I was far from the father. However, there is a true elder brother in the story and that is Jesus. God spent everything He had to bring me back into adoption as His son. “ But the father said to his servants, ‘ Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. ( Luke 15:22-24). This new adoption has healed me from temporal pains.

In conclusion, what does adoption really mean? If you truly understand what it means to be a child of God and you believe that with all your heart, it should shape every aspect of one’s life in a profound way. Whether you are in poverty right now, in prison, have no friends, being persecuted in the world for your faith, battling addiction, depression or just at your lowest point and can’t take anymore. The scripture says “ we have been 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. ( 1 Peter 3:4).

If you are adopted by God, everything that is His belongs to you. Paraphrasing Paul, our present troubles are not worthy to be compared to the Glory that will be revealed to us in Christ. As adopted children, you are eternally secure and have everything already.

Bibliography

Etzel, G., & Small, R.N. (2016). Everyday Theology Exploring: The Christian Faith. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic.
Keller, T. ( 2008). The Prodigal God:Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith New York, NY: Penguin Group
The Holy Bible. (1999). New American Standard Bible: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Piper, J.(2007, Feb 10) Adoption: The Heart of the Gospel. Retrieved from http://www.desiringod.org