From Slaves to Sons

"Adoption" Gk huiothesia, literally means, 'the placing of a son.' It is taking someone who was not a natural son and making him a son with full status as a natural son. This idea is not a departure from the concept of God's sovereign choice, it is a continuation of it. The text informs us that, "He predestined us to adoption." The term "predestined" carries the idea of determining beforehand. So, the plan to adopt us into God's family is something that He alone planned and made provision for. Adoption, then, is God's gracious gesture of placing those who lived against Him in slavery to sin into His family; bestowing on them all of the riches in heaven that belong to His Beloved Son. Those who were once slaves to sin have now become sons of the living God by faith in Jesus Christ.