The Spirit of Sonship

Many believers spend a large portion of their time chasing after experiences with God, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to experience God, but this should never be at the expense of “intimate relationship”. God wants us to draw near to Him! For the God who is infinitely high, is also infinitely nigh! When God revealed Himself to Elijah in 1 Kings 19, He made a point in showing the prophet where not to look. Verses 11-12, “…And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind a earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” More often than not God reveals Himself in stillness (a moment of intimacy), where it’s close-up and personal!

Intimacy can never be achieved outside of close relationship. You can ‘know of’ someone without being intimate, however, you can only truly ‘know’ a person through intimacy. Therefore, the most powerful and effective relationships are centred on affection. And in a spiritual sense, the most potent of these is the affection shared between Father and Son. Today we are going to examine this relationship in the context adoption. To many of you the “spirit of sonship” is an enigma, but to others it enables you to engage with, and stay connected to, God with great confidence. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out 'Abba, Father’.” (Romans 8:14-15) The literal translation is… “For you did not receive a spirit of bondage to fear (as with slaves), but you received the Holy Spirit who produces in you a consciousness and realisation of sonship whereby we cry Abba, Father.”

The New Testament definition of adoption is, 'that process or act by which God places a repentant sinner into the divine family, in order to become a legal heir to all the rights and privileges normally only available to His Son'. God’s grace has brought us into His redeemed family. Galatians 4:4,5 tells us that God sent forth His Son, to buy back them that were slaves under the law (the law of sin and death), “…That we might receive the full rights and privileges of sons.”

The Greek word for adoption literally means, “placing as a mature son.” It is derived from a legal term that defines the process by which a man brings another person into his family, empowering him with the status and privileges of a biological son or daughter. It’s interesting to note that in New Testament times Roman customs exercised a great deal of influence on Jewish family life. And one custom is particularly significant in relation to adoption. Roman law required that the adopter be a male; and the one to be adopted had to be an independent consenting adult, able to agree to be adopted. In the eyes of the law, the adopted son became a new creature; he was regarded as being born again into a new family. This is a clear illustration of what happened to us at our conversion.

According to Roman Law, which is what the Apostle Paul is alluding to in Romans 8:15-16, there are four main points to an adoption process.

They are:

·                The adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new one. In the most binding legal way, he obtained a new father (and family).

·                The adopted child became heir to his new father’s estate. Even if other sons were born before or after, it did not affect his rights. He was co-heir with them.

·                In Roman law, the old life of the adopted person was completely wiped out; for instance, all debts were cancelled. He was regarded as a new person entering into a new life with which the past had nothing to do with his new one.

Finally, as it applied to the Roman legal system, the adopted child was absolutely and lawfully the son of his new father.

When earthly parents adopt a child they only have the ability to transfer to that child their name, possessions, love, and moral example. They can’t pass on true nature or likeness. However, whenever our heavenly Father adopts a son or daughter, a far greater impartation takes place. Not only do we receive His wonderful name, His glorious possessions, His all-powerful love, and His all-inspiring and perfect example; but also miraculously He births in us His divine nature. As adopted children we become new creatures – a new creation! And thereafter, progressively and systematically, (by the Holy Spirit) He develops in you and me a consciousness and realisation reserved only for an adult son or daughter – a legitimate heir!

Through this divine process of adoption:

(a) We legally inherit His nature – “being partakers of the divine nature.”

(b) We are made spiritually of the very same substance as Him – “for old things have passed away and everything has become totally new.”

(c) We inherit His exact likeness – “when He appears we shall all be just like Him” (2 Peter 1:4).

(d) We inherit His precious ‘blood line’ (Acts 20:28).

(e) We even inherit the Holy Spirit as a down payment.

No earthly adoption can ever achieve these incredible results. However, our awesome God has done this in order that we might receive not only what He has, but also receive of what He is – His substance; His divine nature. In the Bible, adoption is a term that reveals the dignity of the relationship between our Heavenly Father and His sons and daughters. It is not merely a placing into the family by spiritual birth, but rather a placing into the honoured position of true son and heir. Notice, in a normal earthly sense, one is either born into the family or adopted. Both can never occur to any one person.

But the great mystery is this – God only accepts and then adopts into His family those who have first been born of His Spirit. We first become sons, and then God adopts us to become heirs so that we can enjoy all the rights, all the benefits, and the multitude of blessings that follow such a privileged position. This incredible sonship truth is more firmly established in us when we can fully comprehend the meaning of the Spirit-inspired word 'ABBA' – a heart warming word only found only three times in the Bible.

When this word was used in the Aramaic language, slaves were forbidden to address the head of the family by this title. Its application was reserved exclusively for use by the son and heir. ‘ABBA’ is an intimate term of affection and endearment. It has harmonious overtones and expresses deep respect and devoted love. It signifies unreserved trust and total reliance upon. It’s a word abounding with true worship and adoration. The very sound of the word 'ABBA' should fill every human heart with a sense of profound love and childlike dependence. It is seen as the greatest honour to be called “Abba Father”, and therefore, this term should be reserved for God alone. All His adopted children – those who have been called to worship Him in Spirit and in truth – must learn to address Him as ‘ABBA’.

In Mark 14:36 Jesus says “Abba Father, all things are possible for You, take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” In this, the most agonising time of the Lord's life, He chose to express Himself in a far deeper and more affectionate way, so He intentionally started with, “Abba, Father.” In essence Jesus was revealing the loving appreciation and deep respect He had for His Father. But He was also confirming His total trust, His unreserved devotion, His complete reliance upon and His unrestrained dependence on the Father. To pray in a similar way is our heritage. Scripture clearly reveals that “God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying Abba Father” (Galatians 4:6).

As joint-heirs with Christ (the firstborn) you have inherited the supreme right to use the same informal address - an utterance that’s full of love and adoration. You have been given the awesome privilege of echoing the heart cry of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore, in the midst of your own Gethsemane, when you feel helpless, crushed and in total despair, if you listen intently you too will be able to hear the Spirit of His Son whispering in your heart ... “Abba, Father.” After all, it’s the Spirit Himself bearing witness with your spirit that confirms that you are a child of God – an adopted son or daughter (Romans 8:16). You may be amazed to know, but God longs to hear you call Him “Abba Father” from the core of your being.

Therefore, you must discontinue identifying your relationship with God by comparing Him to your biological father; the two are completely different. He is a Father who loves you as no earthly father can. A Supreme “Daddy”, who longs to have His children realise this great love. And in the case of your adoption process, you should allow the Holy Spirit to become your spokesperson with the Father, allowing His divine Spirit to reveal in your heart the glory and truth of your adoption. Whenever you look into the face and eyes of your Creator, with a heart that’s filled with truth concerning your Sonship, and you cry out “Daddy God,” no words can describe the joy that your Heavenly Father feels.

This is echoed in the scriptures.... 2 Corinthians 6:18 – “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters.” Deuteronomy 14:2 – “The Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession.” Ephesians 2:19 - “You are members of God’s household.” John 1:12 – “Yet to all, who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Chris Demetriou, 06/05/2009