If adoption were to be the core of the gospels, this would have to be taken into consideration with the fact that soteriology (the process of salvation) incorporates adoption as part of the process in which our Heavenly Father reconciles sinners through the blood of Lord Jesus Christ into the Kingdom of God as legitimate sons.
- But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among of the congregation I will sing your praise.” Again, “I will put my trust in him.”Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:9–15)
For the humans to become children of God in the new kingdom that is to come, they cannot be as Lord Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God in human form.
- For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him. (Colossians 1:16–19)
Even though the Bible calls humans, who have been created in the image of the Creator, “gods” (Psalm 82:6; John 10:34) we are not God. Therefore, being gods, we are invited to be adopted into the family of God, providing we do the will of God.
- Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:34–35)
To do the will of God requires us to present ourselves as living sacrifices in that we sacrifice what the futility of this world has to offer for what God has to offer.
- Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1–2)
Adoption is very much a part of the gospel and so is the redemption of our bodies.
- We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. (Romans 8:22–24)
To be saved from the futility of being born only to die, requires us to have faith in the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse us from sin and present us righteous before God.
- But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. (Romans 10:8–10)
If there were no resurrection, there would be no gospel to share with people. The word “gospel” means “good news”. The good news is that we are now have the option of being adopted into the family of God and receiving new bodies at the resurrection, providing we accept the redemption price that was paid by Lord Jesus Christ, so that we could be reconciled to God and be justified by faith.
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