The Treasure Series | ADOPTED

Jul 10, 2024

5 min read

I confess. I love “happily ever after” movies. Corny plots, unrealistic, I really don’t care. One of my favorite plots is the poor, struggling single mom who discovers that she is an heir to a kingdom. And off she goes to the land of Murdova where she is crowned queen.

But what is realistic? Who decides? Is anything about being chosen by the Creator of the universe to be His daughter realistic? Real, according to whom? Maybe realistic should be defined by the one who created us.

One of my favorite “chapters” of the Bible begins with:

Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

So let’s define realistic according to that perspective. The “raised with Christ” perspective. Reality according to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords Creator of the universe and this is His reality! I am His daughter! You are His child.

Back to our treasure chest for another unrealistic but very real treasure. We have been adopted to be children of God and heirs to His throne.

In John’s gospel he tells us,

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. Yet to all who did receive 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.

Once again, let’s look at all the amazing things Paul has to say about being adopted. Remember this guy—filled to overflowing with excitement even in prison and on his way to be executed. Here’s what he has to say.

He says that because we are God’s adopted children,

— We are no longer slaves but sons of God.

Romans 8:14-17

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to 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.

But that’s not all. As members of God's household we receive the privileges of being Daughters of God.

— We have access to our Heavenly Father.

Heb. 4:16

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

EPH. 3:10-12

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

But that’s not all. Because we are his kids,

— We are heirs of heaven.

Colossians 1:12.

and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

1 Peter 1:3-4.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

Galatians 4:4-7.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born 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.

And because God is our Father.

— He has compassion for us.

Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

— He protects us

Proverbs 14:26

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,and for their children it will be a refuge.

--and disciplines us.

Hebrews 12:4-11

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

—But He will never forsake us.

Psalm 94:14

For the Lord will not reject his people; He will never forsake his inheritance.

So, that girl on her way to Murdova had nothing on us. We have also received an amazing inheritance. Realistic? According to whom?

So, since you are apart of the family of God, you might want to check out what we do in our family.