Divine Adoption

When the Apostle Paul shared “you have received a spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:14–16), he had nothing in mind like we use the term today. He was using language that applies to everyone.

John MacArthur did a great study on this word, and made a number of points of which I will share.

First, adoption in Paul’s day was not about orphans. It was in fact somewhat common for parents to abandon children on the streets of Rome. Also, adoption in the 1st century was not about age, both children and adults were adopted.

Adoption was something done intentionally when a couple felt so strongly about another person they wished they were a part of their family. It was like someone telling a person today, “If only I had a son (or daughter) like you.” In ancient Rome, that was possible, as adoption was about choosing a family member, not about rescuing a child that had been abandoned. So when Paul said we are adopted, he used a powerful word to describe us.

In fact, at least three things happened when you were adopted in ancient Rome.

1. You no longer were a part of your old family, they had no say in your life. Spiritually, we were Adam’s children, but in Adam all die, in Christ all are made alive. The old no longer has say over us.
2. You had a new inheritance in a whole new family. Spiritually, we inherit the blessings of Christ, far greater than inheriting sin and death from our old family in Adam.
3. Perhaps most amazing, your past ceased to exist. In Rome that meant your old debts vanished, your criminal record was wiped clean, and you were considered born on the day of your adoption, regardless of your age when it happened. The spiritual lessons are clear, our sin debt is paid, our past sin record has vanished, and true life began the day we met Jesus.

So now, every day, we can be thankful that in Christ, we are adopted!