Rom 8:1-39 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….  (15) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (16) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 

(18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (19) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope (21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (23) And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

(24) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (27) And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  

Adoption is complex....

I wonder if many of us feel a bit like this about being adopted into God’s family.

BUT this is not the reality!

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 14,15

“and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir”

So what is your relationship with God like?

Matt 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

John 20:17: Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

“This is my Son, whom I love…” Matt.3:17, 17:5

“YOU are my child… whom I love…

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ 8:16,17

2 things that are difficult

The first is the male language. - “Sons of God”

But for women of the day - this was transformative.

The second is more complex.

Adoption!

For us adoption is complex - for Paul it was incredbily wonderful!

“as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave,… he is subject to guardians, and trustees until the time set by his father…” Ga.4:1,2

‘when the time had fully come, God sent his Son,… to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Gal.4:4,5

"so that now because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Gal 4:4-7)

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 8:16,17

1.  See what it does for our hope (19-30)

Impacts Creation (19-23)

the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. v.21

Currently groaning and subjected to futility (v20)

Buit one day creation will at last be set free and fulfil its God created intention!

 Impacts us

but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. (23,24)

All that we were created for - will become reality

Including being and experiencing the fullness of life as God's Children

Surely knowing this brings Hope

2.  See what it does for our praying

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. V.26,27

Now that we are God’s children – His Spirit prays for us and with us.

CS Lewis: The problem with our praying is not that we request too much, but that we don’t ask for enough... 

3.    See what it does to our struggles

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (18) 

Life here with all its challenges is nothing in comparison to what we look forward to!

Knowing God as Father is all that matters

 If we know that those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. V30 

You are valuable. You are loved. You are a child of the King.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John3:1

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

1.    What do you think and feel about adoption? What are your experiences or those of people you know? Why do you think being adopted might be hard for those who have been?

2.    “Adopted as sons” How do you feel about the lack of gender neutral language? Do you feel included or excluded? Does it suggest that adoption of sons is different from adoption of daughters? How would you respect those who feel differently about this language and communicate clearly that we are all one in Christ Jesus?

3.    Paul thinks being included into God’s family is “the best thing ever”! What does it mean for you? If you didn’t think adoption was a helpful image, how would you talk about it happening in a way that communicates how wonderful it is? Does “born again” convey the same importance?

4.    What difference does being a child of God make for you?

5.    Does being adopted affect our sense of hope? Why or why not? What does Paul say in Romans 8 about this?

6.    What does Paul say about the hope we can have for creation? How do you feel about this? How should this affect our thinking and actions about the planet?

7.    What does Paul say about how adoption affects our praying? What impact should this have on how we pray, when we pray and what we pray for?

8.    What does Paul say about how being adopted should affect how we deal with difficulty? Is this your experience? Explain. What would help?

9.    What does it mean for you that God has chosen you to be his daughter or son? Write down 5 things that remembering this will change for you this week.