Embracing Our Identity as God's Adopted Children
Summary
In our journey through the theology and philosophy of God as taught in Scripture, we have come to understand the profound nature of the atonement. The atonement is the pivotal moment where God, in His infinite grace, changed everything for humanity. Through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, God reached out to save us, not because of our worthiness, but because of Christ's willingness to die for us. This act of divine love declares that no matter our past failures or sins, we are so important to God that He offers us grace, forgiveness, and a second chance.
The doctrine of the atonement is beautifully encapsulated in the concept of adoption. In the face of human evil and wrongdoing, God does not respond with vengeance but with an offer of adoption, saying, "You are my child." This image is one of the most powerful in all of Scripture, affirming that we are children of the Creator, the King of the universe, and as such, we are entitled to all the rights and privileges of a child of a king.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 5, articulates this deep theology. We are justified through faith, and through Jesus Christ, we have peace with God and access to His grace. Our sufferings are not in vain; they produce perseverance, character, and hope. This hope does not disappoint because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Even when we were powerless and sinners, Christ died for us, demonstrating God's love and providing us with reconciliation.
The Old Testament reminds us of our sin and preaches hope for salvation, while the New Testament fulfills that hope with the message of adoption through Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the New Testament Church. When I see the brokenness in the world, I am reminded that God's love knows no bounds and that it is our calling to bring this message of hope to the world.
The question we must all answer is whether we will choose to be part of the family that has adopted us. Free will still exists, and people can choose to run away. But what will you choose? Will you live faithfully in the family of God, embracing the mission and ministry to share the good news with the world around us?
Key Takeaways:
- The atonement is not merely a theological concept; it is a divine intervention where God, through Christ's sacrifice, offers us a new identity as His children. This transformative moment transcends our unworthiness and invites us into a relationship of grace and love. [53:03]
- Adoption as depicted in Scripture is a radical act of God's love. It is not based on our merit but on God's choice to claim us as His own. This spiritual adoption grants us the status of heirs to the Kingdom, with all the accompanying rights and privileges. [54:34]
- Suffering has a purpose in the Christian life. It is not a sign of God's absence but a tool for developing perseverance, character, and hope. These virtues are not born out of comfort but are forged in the trials of life, reminding us that God is present even in our darkest moments. [56:03]
- Justification by faith is a cornerstone of our peace with God. It is not our actions but our faith in Jesus Christ that reconciles us to God. This justification is the foundation upon which we stand, allowing us to face life's challenges with the assurance of God's love and salvation. [56:38]
- The choice to embrace our identity as children of God is ours to make. While God has done the work of salvation and offers us adoption, we must respond by living out this truth in our lives. Our free will allows us to either accept or reject this divine invitation to be part of God's family. [01:01:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 5:1-11
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 5:1-2, what are the benefits of being justified through faith?
2. How does Paul describe the process and purpose of suffering in Romans 5:3-4?
3. What does Romans 5:8 reveal about God's love for us?
4. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe the atonement and our relationship with God? ([54:34])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have "peace with God" as mentioned in Romans 5:1? How might this peace manifest in a believer's life?
2. How can the concept of adoption, as described in the sermon, change our understanding of our identity in Christ? ([54:34])
3. Why is it significant that Christ died for us "while we were still sinners" according to Romans 5:8? How does this impact our view of grace and forgiveness?
4. The sermon mentions that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. How can this perspective change the way we view our own trials and challenges? ([56:03])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How does the message of the atonement and adoption challenge those feelings? ([53:03])
2. In what ways can you embrace your identity as a child of God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth? ([54:34])
3. How can you find purpose in your current sufferings or challenges, knowing that they can produce perseverance, character, and hope? ([56:03])
4. Think about someone in your life who needs to hear the message of God's unconditional love and adoption. How can you share this message with them this week? ([01:00:19])
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing to be part of God's family. What are some specific ways you can demonstrate your commitment to this family in your church and community? ([01:01:05])
6. How can you remind yourself of God's love and grace during moments of failure or sin? What practices or habits can help reinforce this truth in your life? ([53:54])
7. Consider the brokenness you see in the world around you. How can you be a messenger of hope and God's love in those situations? ([01:00:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity
The atonement is a profound expression of God's grace, where Christ's sacrifice on the cross becomes the bridge that reconciles humanity to the Divine. This act of love is not contingent on human worthiness but is a testament to the willingness of Jesus to bear the weight of our sins. It is in this moment of atonement that individuals are offered a new identity—as children of God. This identity surpasses all human flaws and failures, inviting each person into a transformative relationship characterized by grace and love. The divine intervention of the atonement is a call to recognize and accept this new identity, to see oneself not as defined by past mistakes but as a beloved child of the Creator. [53:03]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12 ESV
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a child of God change the way you view yourself and your past mistakes?
Day 2: Heirs to the Kingdom Through Adoption
Adoption, as depicted in Scripture, is not a mere legal status change; it is a radical transformation of one's position before God. This spiritual adoption is initiated by God's love and is not based on human merit or achievements. As adopted children, believers are granted the status of heirs to the Kingdom of God, complete with all the rights and privileges that come with being a child of the King. This new status is a powerful reminder that one's value and identity are rooted in God's choice to claim them as His own, not in their own ability to earn His favor. The spiritual adoption into God's family is an invitation to live as princes and princesses under the loving rule of the King of the universe. [54:34]
"In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:4b-5 ESV
Reflection: What does it mean to you to be an heir to God's Kingdom, and how might this truth impact your daily life?
Day 3: Purpose in Suffering
Suffering within the Christian life is not an indication of God's absence but rather a tool used by God to develop perseverance, character, and hope. These virtues are not the products of a comfortable life but are forged in the trials and tribulations that each believer may face. The presence of suffering is a reminder that God is intimately involved in the refining process of one's faith, shaping and strengthening the believer through each challenge. This perspective on suffering encourages believers to find meaning in their struggles, understanding that God's love is present even in the darkest moments, and that hope is never in vain. [56:03]
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." - Romans 5:3-4 ESV
Reflection: In what ways have you seen suffering produce perseverance, character, and hope in your life?
Day 4: Justified by Faith, at Peace with God
Justification by faith is the cornerstone of the believer's peace with God. It is not through human effort or righteous deeds that reconciliation with the Creator is achieved, but through faith in Jesus Christ. This justification is the firm foundation upon which believers stand, facing life's challenges with the assurance of God's unwavering love and the promise of salvation. The peace that comes from being justified by faith is a peace that surpasses all understanding, allowing believers to live confidently in the knowledge that they are fully accepted and loved by God. [56:38]
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1 ESV
Reflection: How does the assurance of being justified by faith affect your approach to the challenges you face in life?
Day 5: The Choice to Embrace Our Adoption
While God has completed the work of salvation and extends the offer of adoption into His family, the choice to embrace this identity is left to each individual. This divine invitation requires a response—a decision to live out the truth of being God's child in everyday life. Free will allows for the acceptance or rejection of this offer, but for those who choose to accept, it means actively participating in the family of God, embracing the mission and ministry to share the good news with the world. This choice is a daily commitment to live faithfully as a member of God's family, reflecting His love and grace to others. [01:01:05]
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." - 1 John 3:1a ESV
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively live out your identity as a child of God in your community today?
Quotes
"You cannot make yourself perfect no matter how much you read... it is but for the grace of God that any child grows up." [51:38](Download | Download)
"At one moment, the atonement, God changed everything... You are so important to God it doesn't matter what you've done, there is grace and forgiveness for you and a second chance." [53:54](Download | Download)
"In the face of evil... God doesn't strike out in vengeance and violence, he strikes out with adoption, he says you are my child and I will hold you and embrace you and give you another chance." [54:34](Download | Download)
"Suffering produces perseverance and perseverance character and character hope... God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." [56:03](Download | Download)
"When you were still unable to make a choice, God chose you... when a parent brings them into their life and says you are my child and you now are worthy of all that I have." [58:07](Download | Download)
"The Old Testament reminds us of our sin and preaches hope for salvation, the New Testament fulfills that hope with adoption through Jesus Christ." [59:36](Download | Download)
"God wants to adopt these people, that his love has no bounds and it's our call to bring that message of Hope to the world." [01:00:19](Download | Download)
"Will you choose to be part of the family that has adopted you because free will still exists and people can still run away. What will you choose?" [01:01:05](Download | Download)
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