25 Bible Passages about Adoption into God's Family
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In the Bible we read that Jesus came “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:5). To be a Christian is to belong to God and be his child for eternity. Here are 25 Bible passages about what it means to be adopted into God’s family (all Scripture quotations from the English Standard Version).
Being adopted into God’s family means that God is our Father.
1. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matt. 6:9)
2. 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!” (Rom. 8:15)
Being adopted into God’s family means that God loves and cares for us.
3. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)
4. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Heb. 12:9-10)
5. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1)
Being adopted into God’s family means we are being conformed to the image of his Son.
6. 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. (Rom. 8:29)
7. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18)
8. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)
9. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
Being adopted into God’s family means having brothers and sisters in Christ and fellowship in the church community.
10. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Rom. 14:19)
11. From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Eph. 4:16)
12. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thess. 5:11)
13. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10:24-25)
Being adopted into God’s family happens by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
14. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
15. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6)
16. This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (Rom. 9:8)
17. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Gal. 3:26)
Being adopted into God’s family requires being redeemed by the blood of Christ.
18. 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. 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. 4:4-7)
Being adopted into God’s family means we are co-heirs with Christ and our status is secure.
19. 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. (Rom. 8:16-17)
20. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9)
21. So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:7)
22. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)
Being adopted into God’s family involves a time of waiting until Christ’s return.
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. (Rom. 8:23)
Being adopted into God’s family means that God’s precious children will live forever in perfect harmony in his presence.
24. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. (1 Cor. 15:53)
25. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God….The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” (Rev. 21: 3, 7)
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