The Spirit Of Adoption

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. 

Romans 8:15 

God sets the solitary in families. The primary work He does with those He redeems is to adopt them into His family. Like justification, adoption is an act of God’s free grace whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God. Regarding the work of the Spirit as it relates to adoption, God gives to us ‘the Spirit of adoption.’ The Spirit has come to dwell within us, convincing us of our familial relationship with God. This is such a convincing work that our response is to cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ That is the cry of the toddler. It is the most basic call of the small child to the One Whom the child recognizes as being the central Person in that little one’s life. We find our family in God and amid those who cry out ‘Abba, Father.’ This is a large family. It is comprised of ‘a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.’ These all have that same Spirit of adoption. They come from as far back as our first parents and extend to the last individual who shall ever be redeemed. We find them in every corner of the globe and under all circumstances of life. We are the children of God by adoption and members one of another. This encourages us, knowing we are Christ’s, Christ is God’s, and we are family.  

Our Gracious and Loving God, 
we rejoice that You have made us Your children. 
We praise You that we are joint heirs with Christ, 
and members of Your family. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning