Return to Index.

Adoption

Adoption is a legal process that allows an adult or couple to be united with a child who is not biologically their child. Adoption is a concept that is not new and has been used for a long time, and is even referenced in the Bible. The Bible defines pure religion as a religion that takes into account the needs of children in need of adoption.

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Paul uses adoption themes as he discusses salvation in Romans 8. The Holy Spirit is compared to adoption in Romans. Prior to being adopted by God, we lived a constrained life in fear. Because we have been adopted by God through the Holy Spirit, we are free from our previous constrained life of fear. The Holy Spirit, the adoption, makes us the children of God, and a brother of Jesus. Though we live a life that is not constrained and full of fear, it does not mean that we will not suffer. Not everybody likes our family, and in the future it is our family that will rise to the top for all to see. God made everything and even adopted us so that he would have a family that would rise to the top. God knows our birth family kept us constrained but with his family we will be able to soar free. And like any adoption, there is a time when the adoption is finalized, it is consummated. For us, our adoption is consummated when our body is redeemed, and we believe this occurs at the return of Jesus.

Romans 8:15-23
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint–heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Adoption is the process by which God brings about our salvation. Even though we talk about predestination, from the very beginning of time God has chosen us, in much the same way a prospective adoptive parent may choose child from a photo listing on an adoption website.

Ephesians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

These verses show that our spiritual adoption is possible because of the death of Jesus who by his death fulfilled all of the legal obligations of the Old Covenant so that we are not subject to death. In our physical life, adopting a child is possible because we meet all of the legal obligations to adopt a child in our state or country.

Recently, I made the decision to adopt a child because the Holy Spirit led me to make this decision. After attending hours and hours of training and intense interviews and background checks I ultimately was approved to adopt by Texas. This week, I was notified that I have been matched to child needing an adoptive home, and I was matched, because I first chose that child, in much the same way God chose me before the foundations of the world were laid. Adoption is our path to salvation, and adopt is a path we can take to make a difference in the life of a child.

If you would like to learn more about adopting a child in Texas, visit adoptchildren.org.
To find information about adopting in your state, you might want to visit adoptuskids.org.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
Copyright and Legal Information
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information