Adopted as sons through Christ?

[Heavenguard]

Hello all,

I was thinking about how God is the father of our spirit-selves in the pre-mortal existence, and that we are all the children of God. Then I realized that what Paul says about us being adopted by God through Jesus doesn't make sense (at least to me) under that assumption.

So I considered that this adoption (or adoption in this context) probably means something else, and not the "how" in how we become God's children. With that in mind, could I ask what adoption means?

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Or the more-familiar (for you :) ) KJV

[Dr T]

Because through Christ's redemption we can now have access to the Father since he is the only one that can rectify our sinfulness. Then we can be joint heirs. Adopted in that way I think.

[Book_of_Mormon_Warrior]

Hello all,

I was thinking about how God is the father of our spirit-selves in the pre-mortal existence, and that we are all the children of God. Then I realized that what Paul says about us being adopted by God through Jesus doesn't make sense (at least to me) under that assumption.

So I considered that this adoption (or adoption in this context) probably means something else, and not the "how" in how we become God's children. With that in mind, could I ask what adoption means?

Throughout scripture it is taught we become the children of God through adoption when we accept the gospel, prior to that we are children of man with potential to become children of God.

Whenever the scriptures address the audience as the 'children of God' it is always speaking of a group of believers.

Good catch.

Edited February 28, 2009 by Book_of_Mormon_Warrior

[bert10]

Heaven and earth.

In heaven we are all sons/daughters of God because we communed Spiritually with the Father. This is what makes us a Son or a Daughter of God.

On the earth things change. We are in a probationary period where we can even choose to become Sons of Perdition.

To be adopted into the Everlasting Covenant of The Father....is to learn to abide by the conditions of that Covenant. And it is to be born of God.

This Day I have begotten thee.

Who shall hear these words? Those that say "Lord Lord" or them who as Johh says are "BORN OF GOD." Jesus has heard those words even before He came to the Earth. He was the First....and so shall we when are Sons of GOD.

Psalms 2:7 - I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Jesus showed us the Path...So must we be "Begotten of GOD."

Mosiah 5:7 - And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

This is the way [Path]

1 John 5:18 - We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Does this help?

Peace be unto you

bert10

Hello all,

I was thinking about how God is the father of our spirit-selves in the pre-mortal existence, and that we are all the children of God. Then I realized that what Paul says about us being adopted by God through Jesus doesn't make sense (at least to me) under that assumption.

So I considered that this adoption (or adoption in this context) probably means something else, and not the "how" in how we become God's children. With that in mind, could I ask what adoption means?

[Just_A_Guy]

We were created by God, but rejected that divine legacy through sin--our "fallen natures", if you will. By the law we have been cut off from our Father; and if we wish to receive an inheritance we must legally be re-adopted into the family. As we come to Christ, we

receive . . . the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:5-17; see also Mosiah 15:10-12 (referring to Isaiah 53:8-11).

[Heavenguard]

So I suppose it's like the prodigal son, then. I just didn't think it to be so before because in my mind, with the premise of the pre-mortal existence, then we would already be God's sons (and daughters), and would be a returning to Him, rather than being adopted, which is "you didn't belong to me before, but now you do".

[Dr T]

Yes, and I don't have the belief in the pre-existance so that makes sense (to me).

[Just_A_Guy]

From the standpoint of "you are His child, and He loves you and cares for you, etc", you're probably right. He is our Father regardless of our own behavior.

But for the purpose of claiming an eternal inheritance as a joint-heir with Christ: Our sins operate as what a lawyer would call a disclaimer. A disclaimer, even today, is irrevocable; if a person who has disclaimed the estate later wants to become an heir he must be "re-adopted" into the family from which he has estranged himself.

[Dr T]

Thanks for that Changed :)

[marshac]

changed- thanks. Reading that gave me goosebumps just thinking about the implications. :)

[Maxel]

Let me see if I can share my insights here without crossing the line...

God the Father is the creator of our spiritual bodies, just as our earthly parents are the creators of our (current) mortal bodies. Spirit and matter are intended to be eternally joined as one, but intelligences do not begin that way- they begin as beings of pure spirit. In order to attain a body, a mortal existence is required. In said mortal existence, the trials of physical sensations and temptations will inevitably lead to sin (if said mortal existence is to reach the desired goal of giving God's children the necessary test to see if they will be faithful to Him) and an eternal excision from God's presence. The only way to bridge that gap of a broken law is through a Mediator who has never fallen to sin- that is Christ. Though we die because of our sin we are literally born again, spiritually, through the grace of Christ. Because He has given us a second lease on eternal life, he is in that sense our 'Father'. However, he is not the literal creator of our spirits, thus he is an 'adoptive' Father. We are born again in Christ, and having overseen and made our second birth possible, He is our adpotive father.