UPDATE: Never before has one of my blog posts generated so many angry comments, which I have chosen not to publish. So, please let me clarify my purpose in passing on this quotation. The point of this quote from J. Stephen Yuille is to show that man commonly views earthly adoption as an afterthought. However, that is not true in spiritual adoption.

Having never experienced earthly adoption for myself, that is, I was raised by my natural parents, I do not know personally the sense of abandonment and rejection that some who were given up for adoption feel. My prayer for those who live with this reality is that you may find the immeasurable love and acceptance of God in Jesus Christ and be adopted by Him.

What I chiefly desired to accomplish in this post was to encourage Christians concerning their spiritual adoption by the heavenly Father. When God redeems us from the slave-market of sin and the family of the devil it is the fulfillment of something that He planned long ago. In other words, God’s spiritual adoption of us as His children, through faith alone in Jesus Christ, was not Plan B because Plan A failed. We were not an afterthought to Him! Therefore, in commenting on Ephesians 1:5, Yuille writes,

Regrettably, many people tend to view the adoption of a child as an afterthought: “Oh, you couldn’t have your own children, so you decided to settle for adoption.” Having adopted, I would never describe it as ‘settling.’ I would never refer to it as an ‘afterthought.’ In terms of God’s adoption of us, he definitely wasn’t settling. God didn’t create the world in the hope that he would have natural children—only to discover that he had a bunch of little rebels on his hands. He didn’t throw his hands into the hair (anthropomorphism intended), crying, “Oh no, what will I do now? What are my options? I suppose I could always adopt!” No. God ‘predestined’ us for adoption. He did so before the foundation of the world. That necessarily means his adoption of us isn’t plan B, but plan A. Moreover, it means that his adoption of us is the revelation of his eternal will.

[From A Hope Deferred: Adoption and the Fatherhood of God]

Follow

Print this entry

 A Hope Deferred: Adoption and the Fatherhood of God is a valuable new contribution to the small, but growing number of books that address the topic of adoption from a biblical perspective. Clearly written by someone who has “been there” this book is the fruit of two decades of thinking and praying. From the earliest days of their marriage, to their flight home from China with a baby girl, J. Stephen Yuille and his wife have walked down a long faith-road together.

A Book for Every Christian

A Hope Deferred is not just a book for couples who are thinking about adopting children or praying for the Lord to reveal to them His will for their family; it is a book for every Christian. Yuille defines adoption as “the permanent placement of a child in a family with all the rights and privileges associated with that family.” This definition adequately covers both earthly adoption and the believer’s spiritual adoption by God in Christ. Even if adopting a child has never been, or never will be, on your personal radar, this book’s development of a biblical theology of adoption will stimulate spiritual growth and heart-felt worship of your heavenly Father.

A Book for Infertile Couples

Couples who are working through the trial of infertility will especially find spiritual encouragement on the pages of this book. It is written from the heart, to the heart. A Hope Deferred is not a how-to-adopt kind of book; other books suit that purpose well. Instead, this is a book that ministers to the soul as it overflows with tender comfort and biblical hope.

A Book for Adopted Adults

Those who have been adopted, but who have not thought through their adoption from God’s perspective, will benefit greatly from this book. Contemplating the fatherhood of God toward all who have been adopted in Christ Jesus will generate a whole new appreciation for their own earthly adoption.

Three Reasons to Use this Book in One-Another Ministry

Let me give you three characteristics of the book, which also serve as reasons you should use this book in your personal one-another ministry, counseling, and pastoral care.

• Refreshingly Personal: First, A Hope Deferred is the account of a very personal journey. The even-numbered chapters are dedicated to tracing the personal experience of the Yuilles as they are confronted with the reality of infertility, surprised by pregnancy, and wrestle with God through a long, 15-year pursuit of adoption. These chapters effectively bring the reader into their story. Their journal entries are honest as they reveal their pain, struggle with their doubts, and find no reason to hide their emotions.

• Richly Theological: Second, this book beautifully presents to us the riches of our adoption in Christ. The odd-numbered chapters are dedicated to expounding a theology of spiritual adoption from the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. But don’t let the word “theological” scare you away. While Yuille clearly has a sharp theological mind he effectively teaches us in language that we all can understand.

• Warmly Pastoral: Third, A Hope Deferred is written by a pastor who has a pastor’s heart. Yuille skillfully brings the balm of God’s grace and truth to bear upon the brokenness of infertility. And, as stated earlier, he also delivers biblical truth to all of us for the benefit of our soul’s relationship with God.

As a pastor and counselor, I enthusiastically recommend to you A Hope Deferred: Adoption and the Fatherhood of God. In it you will find food for your own soul and a rich resource for your one-another ministry.

Order your copy from Cumberland Valley Books or Amazon.

Follow

Print this entry

The Subtle Art of Destroying Humans – John Knight: “As I had warned you, I was concerned that your boisterous assault on the unborn vermin with the rare chromosomal makeup (the “disabled,” as the other vermin call them) was going to expose all our plans to destroy them.”

8 Benefits of Forgiving Others – David Murray: “[If] relatively minor offenses against such relatively minor people can help us to forgive, how much more being forgiven by a holy God for offenses not just against His law but against His love?”

The Glorious Groan of the Gospel – Scott Oliphant: “[S]uffering and tragedies are meant to drive us to “repent,” that is, to change our mind about sin and recognize it as an affront to a glorious and all-holy God, which affront deserves and brings punishment to all.”

Quit Calling Your Wife Hot – Barnabas Piper: “It is a great thing to honor your wife publicly. It’s good for people to know your devotion to her and how much you love her. It’s good for people to know you are attracted only to her and want only her. But keep the hotness talk inside the walls of your home. That’s between you and her.”

Self-Discipline – Steve Lawson: “Growth in personal holiness is largely determined by our progress in self-discipline. Without this foundational discipline, there can be no advancement in grace. Before other disciplines can be administered, whether in the home, business, or church, there first must be self-discipline.”

A Hope Deferred – My review of a new book on adoption and the fatherhood of God published by Shepherd Press.

Follow

Print this entry

Here’s another resource page for your one-another discipleship counseling ministry…

BOOKS/BOOKLETS

• A Hope Deferred: Adoption and the Fatherhood of God (Stephen Yuille)
• Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches (Russell Moore)
• After They Are Yours: The Grace and Gift of Adoption (Brian Hedges)
• Helping Your Adopted Child (Paul Tripp)
• Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Youth (Keith & Patricia Millier)
• Reclaiming Adoption (Dan Cruver and John Piper)

JOURNAL ARTICLES/BLOG POSTS

• 5 Things Infertile Couples want Others to Know (Brian Nicholson)
• Counseling the Adopted Child (Julie Lowe)
• Not Annie the Musical (Emily Belz)
• The Father of Fathers (Justin Holcomb)

AUDIO/VIDEO TEACHING

• Free resources at Together for Adoption website
• Helping Parents with Adopted Children (Steve Viars)

If you are aware of more helpful biblical resources on the subject of adoption, please drop me an email. These resource lists are works in progress.

Follow

Print this entry

A few nuggets of wisdom to edify your soul and strengthen your one-another ministry…

A Good Shepherd for Needy Sheep – Here’s a beautiful article from Marshall Segal. “When today may be my last day and everything I have gives way, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1). Not only will I survive this threat or sickness or loss, but I will have all I need and more.”

Your Highest Privilege – “Justification is a legal or forensic idea which deals with God as judge declaring that Christians are now free from the demands of the law. But adoption is a much richer family relationship, “conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father.” Tim Challies shares thoughts from J.I. Packer’s classic, Knowing God.

2015 CCEF National Conference Download – For $89.00, get the complete conference audio files from CCEF’s recent “Side by Side” conference. ACBC will soon be releasing their complete conference card from their recent conference as well.

2 Articles on Passive Sanctification – David Murray addresses the problem of passive sanctification; 5 attractions and 10 dangers. For a book-length treatment of this common error, check out Brian Hedges’ latest book Active Spirituality.

Follow

Print this entry

Today’s flashback was first posted in March 2013. May the Lord use these biblical reflections to nourish your faith!

The doctrine of the believer’s adoption into God’s family is rich with assurance of the continuing love and commitment of the Heavenly Father. We may define adoption this way: Adoption is the gracious act of God by which He places the believer in Jesus Christ into His family, giving him the full rights and privileges of mature sonship.

From this blessed position in the family of God flow 4 grace-supplied privileges.

1. We are delivered from the penalty of the law. Galatians 4:4-5 teaches us that at the very perfect time—God’s time—the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. He did this “so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross for our sins was fully accepted by the Father as the demands of His righteous law were fully met. As a result, those who find refuge from the condemnation of the Law in the “accepted One” find themselves fully accepted by the Heavenly Father as members of His cherished family.
2. We receive the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14 teaches us that at the moment we believed the gospel we were sealed in Christ “with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” The Holy Spirit, who right now indwells us, is God’s down-payment on His own promise. As fully mature adopted sons we are the rightful heirs, in Christ, of an unspeakable inheritance. The Holy Spirit’s presence is proof.
3. We are placed into a family where we do not naturally belong. Ephesians 2:3 teaches us that before we were regenerated by the Holy Spirit and faith came from the hearing of the gospel (Rom 10:17), we were “children of wrath.” Now, according to 1 John 3:2, “we are children of God.” No longer are we “children of the devil” (1 Jn 3:10), but fully accepted and adopted sons and daughters of the King of Kings. We belong to Him. We belong in His family.
4. We have an intimate father-child relationship with God. Romans 8:15 teaches us that we “have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but [we] have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” As a result of this relationship:

• We are invited to pray and to call Him ‘Father’ (Matthew 6:9).
• We receive His compassion (Psalm 103:13-14).
• We are assured of His love as He disciplines [trains] us for righteousness (Hebrews 12:5-10).
• We are forgiven, released from the punishment of our sins (Matthew 6:12).

Of our ongoing need of forgiveness, Wayne Grudem writes, “This daily prayer for forgiveness of sins is not a prayer that God would give us justification again and again throughout our lives, for justification is a one-time event that occurs immediately after we trust in Christ with saving faith. Rather, the prayer of forgiveness of sins each day is a prayer that God’s fatherly relationship with us, which has been disrupted by sin that displeased him, be restored, and that he relate to us once again as a father who delights in his children whom he loves.”

Our adoption by God in Jesus Christ is one of the most comforting doctrines in the Word of God. If you are born again, take time to consider the richness of your position before God, as His child. Remember Christ. Remember the love of the Father in sending His Son. Remember the love of the Son in giving Himself as our ransom. Remember the love of the Holy Spirit who has sealed you—for God—unto the day of redemption (Eph 5:30).

Follow

Print this entry

Can Christians Marry Non-Christians? – “It’s far better to live without a spouse and within the company of the church, than with someone who is living for a life that’s not eternal.”

He Is My Own Son – A beautiful adoption testimony.

A Definition for Biblical Counseling – I love John Henderson’s balanced definition of the personal ministry of the Word, which we call biblical counseling/discipleship.

Upcoming Conference: Called to Counsel in Dallas, TX

Follow

Print this entry

The doctrine of the believer’s adoption into God’s family is rich with assurance of the continuing love and commitment of the Heavenly Father. We may define adoption this way: Adoption is the gracious act of God by which He places the believer in Jesus Christ into His family, giving him the full rights and privileges of mature sonship.

From this blessed position in the family of God flow 4 grace-supplied privileges.

1. We are delivered from the penalty of the law. Galatians 4:4-5 teaches us that at the very perfect time—God’s time—the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. He did this “so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross for our sins was fully accepted by the Father as the demands of His righteous law were fully met. As a result, those who find refuge from the condemnation of the Law in the “accepted One” find themselves fully accepted by the Heavenly Father as members of His cherished family.
2. We receive the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14 teaches us that at the moment we believed the gospel we were sealed in Christ “with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” The Holy Spirit, who right now indwells us, is God’s down-payment on His own promise. As fully mature adopted sons we are the rightful heirs, in Christ, of an unspeakable inheritance. The Holy Spirit’s presence is proof.
3. We are placed into a family where we do not naturally belong. Ephesians 2:3 teaches us that before we were regenerated by the Holy Spirit and faith came from the hearing of the gospel (Rom 10:17), we were “children of wrath.” Now, according to 1 John 3:2, “we are children of God.” No longer are we “children of the devil” (1 Jn 3:10), but fully accepted and adopted sons and daughters of the King of Kings. We belong to Him. We belong in His family.
4. We have a loving, father-child relationship with God. Romans 8:15 teaches us that we “have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but [we] have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” As a result of this relationship:

• We are invited to pray and to call Him ‘Father’ (Matthew 6:9).
• We receive His compassion (Psalm 103:13-14).
• We are assured of His love as He disciplines [trains] us for righteousness (Hebrews 12:5-10).
• We are forgiven, released from the punishment of our sins (Matthew 6:12).

Of our ongoing need of forgiveness, Wayne Grudem writes, “This daily prayer for forgiveness of sins is not a prayer that God would give us justification again and again throughout our lives, for justification is a one-time event that occurs immediately after we trust in Christ with saving faith. Rather, the prayer of forgiveness of sins each day is a prayer that God’s fatherly relationship with us, which has been disrupted by sin that displeased him, be restored, and that he relate to us once again as a father who delights in his children whom he loves.”

Our adoption by God in Jesus Christ is one of the most comforting doctrines in the Word of God. If you are born again, take time to consider the richness of your position before God, as His child. Remember Christ. Remember the love of the Father in sending His Son. Remember the love of the Son in giving Himself as our ransom. Remember the love of the Holy Spirit who has sealed you—for God—unto the day of redemption (Eph 5:30).

Follow

Print this entry

The Christian has undergone a radical change. It is a movement from slavery to sonship (Gal. 4:7; cf. Rom. 8:16; Gal. 3:26). It is a change in status—from being children of wrath to being adopted “children of God” (1 John 3:1). It is a change of nature—from being orphaned sinners to being regenerated members of God’s family (John 1:12-13). It takes some Christians a whole lifetime to believe this. It is fitting, then, that one of the chief tasks of the “Spirit of adoption” is to persuade us of who we are and whose we are (Rom. 8:15-16). He also testifies to what we are not. We are not slaves. Paul says we did not receive a spirit of slavery from God to fall back into fear, anxiety, worry, terror, intimidation, and dread—the things that terrify people in the world (Rom. 8:15). Instead, we approach God as our Father and ask him for comfort and strength in times of sorrow, affliction, and danger. We do not come as slaves approaching our master but as a child approaching one who cares for us. We come expecting those things that fathers love to lavish on their children: acceptance, forgiveness, protection, encouragement, comfort, gifts, and repeated assurances of his love. He grants us these things and sends us away with peace and joy of the Spirit. Few things are more liberating than this fact.

A. Craig Troxel, With All Your Heart

Since receiving this book last fall, as part of the book giveaway for the ACBC conference, I’ve been reading through it with four young men in our church. Yesterday, we discussed the ninth chapter, “The King of Your Heart’s Will.” I was really blessed by our discussion of the ongoing work of sanctification that Christ is performing in our hearts as well as the profound blessings of spiritual adoption.

Print this entry

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Eph. 1:4b-5)

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal. 4:4-5)

In the early months of 1984, God adopted me into his family by opening my 19-year-old ears to the gospel and applying its truth to my heart by the Spirit. At the time, I was a prisoner to sin and a spiritual orphan but didn’t know it. Though religious, I did not know the Lord; I did not have a living relationship with God.

It all started one weekend when I was not scheduled to work at the group home where I lived. Sunday morning, I decided to visit the church that my sister and brother-in-law had recently begun to attend. The simplicity of the gathering took me by surprise. There was exuberant singing, preaching from an open Bible, and congregational prayer. Absent from the service were the fancy religious garb and ceremonial ritual that I was accustomed to.  

However, one characteristic about that morning stood out to me the most: the people clearly wanted to be with one another and openly expressed love for each other and for me. Strangest of all, they lingered for almost an hour afterward to visit with one another. They acted like they belonged to a family, not a religious organization. Their contagious joy left an impression on me.

The following week, I responded to a welcome letter from the pastor and decided to join a home Bible study in the Gospel of John. Each week the blinders that covered my spiritual eyes were being removed a little bit at a time so that I began to see Jesus Christ as never before. By the time we reached the third chapter, the Spirit had prepared me to meet Jesus alongside a religious man named Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Soon after, that religious man’s encounter with Jesus became my own when, in the privacy of my bedroom, I found myself crying out to God for mercy and forgiveness. By faith, I turned from the futile self-effort of religion to the only One who could save me from the power and penalty of my sin. And I was adopted into God’s family.

According to Scripture, a believer’s adoption is rich with the assurance of God’s ongoing love and commitment as our heavenly Father. Spiritual adoption may be defined this way: Adoption is the gracious act of God by which he places the believer in Jesus Christ into his family, giving him or her the full rights and privileges of mature sonship. Therefore, adoption results in a personal, permanent relationship and a new status. Instantly, on our adoption day, we received the full rights and privileges of a full-grown heir whose name is included in the guaranteed inheritance.

In Ephesians, the apostle assures us that it was God’s love that motivated him to predestine us “for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” In Galatians, he makes it clear that “God sent forth his Son” to redeem us “so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Picture a rich father who plans to share the fullness of his wealth with his son. However, the son is still a child and, therefore, cannot receive the inheritance until he has reached mature adulthood. Though a son positionally, he is functionally like his father’s slave or household servant. But then God broke into our lost world by giving his Son! At the perfect time, “when the fullness of time had come,” the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. He did this “to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

As we learned previously, the Holy Spirit is the pledge of our inheritance as a child of God and heir of Christ through whom we can approach God: “And 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. 4:6-7).

So What?

In Christ, God not only rescued you from the condemnation of the Law but he brought you into his loving family where you are meant to enjoy the full privileges of mature sonship. Why not cry out to your heavenly Father right now?

Print this entry