Adoption as God's Children
Through faith, believers receive the full rights and privileges of children of God.
Believers are not merely servants but adopted children of God with full inheritance rights. The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' This intimate address was used by Jesus himself and now granted to all who believe. Adoption in Roman law conferred complete rights and identity; the adopted person became legally a full family member. This doctrine provides profound identity, security, and belonging. We approach God not as slaves approaching a master but as beloved children approaching their Father.
The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'
J.I. Packer wrote that 'adoption is the highest privilege that the gospel offers: higher even than justification.'
Epistle to the Romans