We Are Adopted!

“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 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! The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8: 12-25)

Let’s consider some key thoughts from this passage……………

1. We are debtors, but not to the flesh. Put to death the deeds of the body! The flesh cannot be our master!!
2. Not slaves, but sons! A close relationship with God is available. We can cry out to God as our Father.
3. Not only sons, but heirs of the promise and inheritance! But we will suffer as children of God.
4. The present sufferings cannot compare with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Our suffering in Christ will be worth it!
5. So we groan inwardly as we wait for this glory, our full rights as adopted children!!

~Eric Paquette