The Spirit of Adoption

Romans 8:14-17 ".....those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co–heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

John 1:12,13  "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Ever wonder why God always commanded the Israelites to make sure they included the "strangers and aliens" in their camps for all their feasts, rituals, harvests, blessings, etc.?  Ever wonder why God is so intent on caring for widows and orphans?  James 1:27 specifically defines what true religion is that God accepts

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

In Isaiah 58:6-8 God has rebuked the nation for keeping and practicing the fasts, but they have not pleased Him -  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard."

Throughout Old and New Testament writings we find the same theme, over and over again.  Take care of the people.  Take care of the orphans.  Take care of the widows.  Feed the hungry.  Clothe the naked.  And here in Isaiah He even says to "provide the poor wanderer with shelter".  Why are these things so important to God?  What's the message?

The strangers and aliens among the people have always represented the Gentile people and the Jews have always been the "natural born".  Why does God instruct them to care for them? Because they are the ones He is adopting.  We are not "natural born" sons and daughters of God.  But Jesus gives us the power to become that - by His blood and spirit.  Jesus was telling Nicodemus in the middle of the night that there would no longer be a proselyte among them.  He told him that we must be born of water (human birth) and spirit (faith - adoption).  Jesus was opening a doorway that had never been opened before except in instruction and symbolism.  God knew how deep the roots of rejection go.  He was making a way for all mankind - a door by which ANY could enter in and become sons of God.  No longer would they be strangers and aliens - there would be one new man, comprised of both Jew and Gentile, symbolized by the instructions through time to care for the strangers and aliens in their midst.  This new man was to be born of the spirit.  No longer would natural birth be the way into the realm of the Government of Grace as upheld by the law.  But rather a new way - the Throne of Grace - the rule of law, the spirit of the Law flowing THROUGH the Lamb - the door, the way.  

The law would be written on the hearts through circumcision of the heart.  The spirit of God would dwell in man and teach and guide him into all truth.  The evidence that it exists would be the true religion that God accepts - to care for the widows and orphans and to keep one self from being soiled by the world.  By caring for one another, bearing one another's burdens, a community of faith, trust, hope, love, provision and truth.  Reaching out and caring for others around them, thereby showing forth the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, lifting Him up with their lives and actions, and drawing all men to Him.  No words we can ever say will do that - only our faith put in action in this way.

Men and women who have been adopted can understand the spirit of rejection that must be overcome in their lives.  That ever present "nobody wants me" rooted deep inside them is difficult to overcome.  Receiving a message that God loves them is not always enough.  But when we ALL recognize that we are ALL adopted then we can understand, identify and have the heart of God to touch those wounded spirits and help them heal and feel wanted and accepted in the beloved.  

May we all pray for discernment, understanding and wisdom that we can fully grasp the width, depth, height and breadth of His love toward us.  We are sons and daughters of the Most High God, Creator of the universe and our Abba Father.