Saturday, August 18, 2018

Christ Through the Bible- Galatians


Text: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, taken under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So, you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Gal. 4:5-7
In the book of Galatians, we see Christ paying the price for our adoption.  God sent His Son so that we might receive the position of sons.  Christ paid the price of our redemption at the cost of His own life.  His death is the price of adoption.  Adoption requires someone who comes at the right time.  It requires someone who has the right qualifications.  It also requires someone who has the right motivation and resolves to see the process to its completion.
Adoption requires a two-step judicial process in conformance to state statutory provisions in which the legal obligations and rights of a child toward the biological parents are terminated, and new rights and obligations are created between the child and the adoptive parents.
Adoption involves the creation of the parent-child relationship between individuals who are not naturally so related. The adopted child is given the rights, privileges, and duties of a child and heir by the adoptive family.
Following the adoption proceedings, a certificate of adoption is issued for the adopted child, to replace the birth certificate. It lists the new family name, the date and place of the child's birth, and the ages of the adoptive parents at the time the child was born.

Generally, the certificate of adoption does not indicate the names of the child's natural parents or the date and place of adoption. A child may never know that he or she was adopted unless the adoptive parents reveal the information since the old birth certificate is sealed away and may be opened only by court order.
Since adoption was not recognized at Common Law, all adoption procedures in the United States are regulated by statute. Adoption statutes prescribe the conditions, manner, means, and consequences of adoption. Also, they specify the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved

The process to become an adoptive parent requires your life to be examined.
1.      be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible, mature adults,

2.      complete an application

3.      share information regarding their background and lifestyle,

4.      provide relatively and non-relative references,

5.      show proof of marriage

6.      agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members,

7.      complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household.
Adoptive Parents must:
1.      provide permanent homes and a lifelong commitment to children into adulthood;
2.      provide for the short-term and long-term needs of children;
3.      provide for children's emotional, mental, physical, social, educational, and cultural needs, according to each child's developmental age and growth;

We have friends that have gone through the adoption process and faced so many challenges in the process.  Don’t you find it interesting that you can abort a child for under $500 but to adopt a child here in America is between $8,000 and $40,000?  If you are adopting outside of America, it is between $15,000 and $30,000.  On top of the cost is the qualifications to become an adoptive parent. Then after the adoption, you must keep addressing the question of identity.  It is not difficult to realize that some adopted children are not your natural birth children.  One adoptive mother has struggled with people who do not understand adoption.  People often say to her, Oh, it is so nice that you have adopted these children, now do you have children of your own? By the way, that is one phrase that you do not ask an adoptive parent.  This parent likes to share her answer this way, Come, in real close, I have a secret; THEY ARE OUR CHILDREN!
When it comes to our spiritual life Gods provided for us the means by which we can become part of His family.  He loves us and gave His Son for a ransom that we might be brought into His family.  What is strange is that many have not accepted the offer to be in the Family of God.  They continue to wander through life with the enemy of their soul--Satan.
Satan does not care about your soul.  He is a destroyer of life.  Life under Satan is a culture of death.  I find it interesting that while Satan glorifies death, the LORD exalts life.
 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans. 6:23
Look what Christ says to those who He has adopted:
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev. 21:6-8
What God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ:
The price was paid for our redemption.  He paid a tremendous price for our adoption.
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal. 4:6-7
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  ICor. 6:19
He adopted us into the family of God:
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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. Rom. 8:14-15
He supplies all our basic needs of life.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 33  but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6: 25;33
He has prepared for us a permeant home.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, also believe in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may also be. John 14:1-3

He made us heirs with His Son:
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. Rom. 8:16-17
He provides us protection against evil.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;   Eph. 6:10-18
The songwriter put to word the feeling of one who is ready to accept the offer of adoption
 1.I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.

 Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.
 2.I’ve wasted many precious years,
Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
Lord, I’m coming home.
 3. I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord,
Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word,
Lord, I’m coming home.
 4 My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore,
Lord, I’m coming home.
 5.My only hope, my only plea,
Now I’m coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me,
Lord, I’m coming home.
 6. I need His cleansing blood I know,
Now I’m coming home;
Oh, wash me whiter than the snow,
Lord, I’m coming home LORD.
 You do not need to go through life without your spiritual family.  The LORD is waiting to adopt you into His family.  His Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart asking you to come home.  The place has been prepared for you.  Don’t wander through life alone and away from God come home.
Accept the adoption offered to you.  Become the new person the LORD wants to make you.

No comments:

Post a Comment