Many of us know the Lord's Prayer; especially how it begins, "Our Father...."
Have you ever pondered why/how we are able to address the One, True, Living God of the universe as "Father"? I have...
Logically, we could be "justified" by God, and still not be able to call him "Father". We could be justified in His sight, and refer to Him as only "Lord" or "Master". What is it that allows us to refer to Him as "Father"?
The following is something that God used to enlighten Stephanie and me with regard to how God adopts His children, and how we approached our adoption of Yana Kathleen and Mila Gayle, and now "Nash" as the Lord willed.
Here is what the Westminster Confession of Faith captures about this doctrine:
Chapter 12 - Adoption (Modern English Version) - my emphasis added
1. All those who are justified God graciously guarantees to make partakers of the grace of adoption in and for his only Son, Jesus Christ. By this act they are taken into the number of God's children and enjoy the liberties and privileges of that relationship; they are given his name; they receive the Spirit of adoption; they have access to the throne of grace with boldness; and they are enabled to cry, “Abba, Father.” Like a father, God has compassion on, protects, provides for, and chastens them; yet, they will never be cast off, but are sealed to the day of redemption, and will inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.
Chapter 12 - Adoption (Original Version)
I. All those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,[1] by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God,[2] have His name put upon them,[3] receive the spirit of adoption,[4] have access to the throne of grace with boldness,[5] are enabled to cry, Abba, Father,[6] are pitied,[7] protected,[8] provided for,[9] and chastened by Him as by a Father:[10] yet never cast off,[11] but sealed to the day of redemption;[12] and inherit the promises,[13] as heirs of everlasting salvation.[14]
Scripture Proofs:
[1] EPH 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. GAL 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[2] ROM 8:17 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. JOH 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
[3] JER 14:9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
2CO 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
REV 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
[4] ROM 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[5] EPH 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
ROM 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[6] GAL 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
[7] PSA 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
[8] PRO 14:26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
[9] MAT 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
1PE 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
[10]HEB 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
[11] LAM 3:31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever.
[12] EPH 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[13] HEB 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
[14] 1PE 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.
HEB 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
The following is from the Westminster Larger Catechism:
Q74: What is adoption?
A74: Adoption is an act of the free grace of God,[1] in and for his only Son Jesus Christ,[2] whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children,[3] have his name put upon them,[4] the Spirit of his Son given to them,[5] are under his fatherly care and dispensations,[6] admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow heirs with Christ in glory.[7]
1. I John 3:1
2. Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:4-5
3. John 1:12
4. II Cor. 4:18; Rev. 3:12
5. Gal. 4:6
6. Psa. 103:13; Prov. 14:26; Matt. 6:32
7. Heb. 6:12; Rom. 8:17
You may find this infographic helpful:
For His Church; Soli Deo Gloria!
