Adopted for Life

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 4:4-6

In 2003, my wife’s sister and her family traveled to China and returned with an addition to their family – a delightful little boy. His Chinese name is Feng (pronounced fong), but at his adoption this little fellow was given three family names – his new parents’ surname, his new grandfather’s first name, and the name of a long-deceased maternal uncle as a middle name. I marvel at the deliberate expression of love and commitment such an action requires.

Tolbert Fanning, a greatly respected 19^th century preacher, once wrote concerning the church that “becoming a member of this highly favored and honorable family…is…by adoption alone.” Paul the apostle reminded his Ephesian audience that God made a choice, that he deliberately purposed our adoption as his own children (Ephesians 1:5). And God gave us a family name, allowing us to be called “Christians” (Acts 11:26) after the name of his own son, Jesus the Christ. What marvelous love!

Taking a child born to another and making him your own is not an easy thing! As young as he was at the time, little Loy Earl Feng Redd had already developed some habits and attitudes that his parents had to help him put aside. They began immediately to teach him, to train him to act according to the rules of their household. As you might expect, he rebelled a little at a new regimen pressed on him by total strangers. But because the teaching was done firmly and with love, he soon began to conform to the family’s shape.

God’s church is a family. We are added to it through a process of adoption, an adoption about which we do have a choice. Once the choice is made, though, once the name is accepted, the family’s rules apply. But we tend to be like little Loy – because of undesirable habits and attitudes, because of worldly influence, because of ordinary human self-will, we sometimes rebel against the family rules. What response should the family make when rebellion occurs? The same response you would expect in any human family – firm and loving discipline, teaching and admonition!

Scripture speaks plainly about the blessings and obligations that our adoption as God’s children brings. The blessings are limitless, and include fellowship with God, his son Jesus and his holy spirit. Salvation from sin, hope that transcends this life, and fellowship with God’s children are the adoption gifts lavished on us by a loving Father.

The obligations are not difficult, but they are important. We are called to love one another and bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). We have the duty to encourage and exhort one another and to meet together for worship, study and fellowship (Hebrews 10:23-25). And we share the responsibility to tell the world the good news of our adoption, calling others to choose the same family (Mark 16:15).

Are you part of the family? If so, are you holding high your new name?

Bobby Wheat