Bible passage:
Adoption of Israel:
Rom 9:4 To them [Israelites] belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. Deut 6:6-8 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery...
Adoption of Believers:
Eph 1:4-6 ... even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Gal 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Rom 8:17, 23 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Gal 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
What a privilege! We who were enemies of God (Rom 5:10), strangers, and foreigners (Eph 2:19) are called to be sons [and daughters] of God! There is a future aspect or completion of our adoption to sonship that we await (Romans 8:13). Yet God has given us two pieces of evidence to rely on. The historical evidence from the past - the redemption of Israel from slavery and the way God persevered with the Israelites! He uses the same language of adoption for Israel - covenant/ promises/ considered chosen. He has also given us the guarantee in the present through the indwelling Spirit of God, through whom we boldly (even audaciously) call God as Father in our prayers.
This heavenly family of God is the reality, the projection, shadow, or type of which are the families on earth - fallen though they are. Since many families around us are broken or strained, most of us might have seen what pain and devastation is experienced when relationships are torn apart. How much greater should be our groaning when there are people who have strained or no relationship with God the Father? In the modern world, faith has become a private affair not brought to the public square. In private discussions at homes, we do know about the faith/ worldview of our relatives and close friends. Shall we pray for those who aren't adopted to sonship because of their response to Christ?
Prayer points:
Pray that when a loved one chooses a different faith (a Christian in an unbelieving home, or an unbeliever in a Christian home), there is space given for them to be themselves, that there are healthy discussions, and that they continue to love and feel loved.
Pray that any deception, human betrayal, or strained earthly relationship wouldn't be an obstacle in the person seeking a true relationship with God the Father.
Pray that the loved one would truly know the privilege of such a Fatherly relationship, the reality of the slavery that they are in, and the blessings of adoption that far outway the cost.
Pray that the light of the knowledge of God's glory falls on them.
If you can, try memorizing Romans 8:15.
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