Adoption Defined and Illustrated

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Ephesians 1:5

Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Adoption is that act of God whereby men who were by nature the children of wrath even as others, are, entirely of the pure grace of God, translated out of the evil and black family of Satan, and brought actually and virtually into the family of God, so that they take His Name, share the privileges of sons, and are to all intents and purposes the actual offspring and children of God. Did you ever think what a high honour it is to be called a son of God? Suppose a judge of the land should have before him some traitor who was about to be condemned to die. Suppose that equity and law demanded this, but suppose it were possible for the judge to step from his throne and to say, "Rebel as thou air, I have found out a way whereby I can forgive thy rebellions. Man, thou art pardoned!" There is a flush of joy upon his cheek. "Man, thou art made rich; see, there is wealth!" Another smile passes over the countenance. "Man, thou art made so strong that; thou shalt be able to resist all thine enemies!" He rejoices again. "Man," saith the judge at last, "thou art adopted into the Royal Family, and thou shalt one day wear a crown! Thou art now as much the Son of God as thou art the son of thine own father." You can conceive the poor creature fainting with joy at such a thought.

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