Adopted by God

Adoption is beautiful! A child without parents, or whose parents are unable to provide for him or her, is taken in to another home and made a part of the family.

On earth this is huge. The consequences are life changing and can result in blessings beyond belief. In spiritual terms, adoption is that and so much more.

When we are born again and believe on the work of Yeshua's death and resurrection for our salvation, we are adopted into the family of God. We will live forever in the presence of God and He accepts us in the righteousness of Yeshua, His Son. There is nothing more important or more wonderful!

Romans 8:15-17 (KJV)
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
¹⁷ 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.

From Romans 8 we see this adoption at work. We leave bondage to fear behind and can call God, the Creator of the universe, our Father, or Abba. We become heirs with Yeshua, in suffering as well as in glory.

But into what are we adopted?

Romans 9:4-6 (KJV)
⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
⁶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

In Romans 9 Paul was concerned about his fellow Jews, who had not become believers in Yeshua. Yet, he began the passage by listing all of the "gifts" that God had given to the Jews; adoption, God's glory or presence, the law, the service of God, His promises, the patriarchs (the fathers), and finally Messiah Yeshua, who was born a Jew. Paul was stating that as a nation, the Jews were God's adopted family. However, in verse 6, Paul made the astounding claim that not all Israel was truly Israel. In the verses following this passage, Paul explained how Ishmael and Esau, although sons of Abraham and Isaac respectively, were not a part of Israel. In like manner, not all the Jews were a part of Israel. In fact, God did an even more marvelous thing.

Romans 9:24-27 (KJV)
²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
²⁵ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
²⁶ And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
²⁷ Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

God called Gentiles into His family!

The original adoption by God consisted of the Jewish nation, Israel, but God also accepted believing Gentiles into His family Israel. Although unbelieving Jews are still a part of physical Israel and will receive all of the promises that God gave regarding the land, etc. they are not a part of the remnant that shall be saved (verse 27). (In the final stages of history, Israel, as a nation, will one day accept Messiah Yeshua and as a whole will be saved.)

Ephesians 2:18-19 (KJV)
¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Israel is God's family, whether the members are Jewish or Gentile. Belief in Messiah is the entrance requirement. This also means that all those "gifts" belong to all of the family; the adoption, God's glory or presence, the law, the service of God, the promises, the patriarchs, and Messiah Yeshua!