Adopted children - Worthy Christian Forums

If you are in CHRIST, you are an adopted child of GOD.

Paul writes to Chistian believers in Romans 8:15 For you did not recieve the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you recieved the SPIRIT of adoption by whom we cry out, "ABBA FATHER."

Romans 8:16 THE SPIRIT Himself bears witness with our spirit that we ARE CHILDREN OF GOD,

These verses are part of a teaching from The Word of GOD that tell us we are children of GOD if we have put our faith in JESUS.

Paul, again writing to and about Chrisitians, states in Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestined us to adoption as sons by CHRIST JESUS to Himself..."

These passages of scripture tell us that GOD chose us before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4) to be adopted as HIS children if we are those who are in CHRIST JESUS. Children do not choose who adopts them and once you are adopted by someone, you can not be un-adopted. (even if you could, that is not what GOD would do)

Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the SPIRIT, even we groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Here Paul is talking about the redemption of the physical world. In this verse, he is teaching us that, now that we are adopted children of GOD by the SPIRIT, we now eagerly wait for the adoption of our bodies.

We who have placed our faith in JESUS are the children of the most high GOD. As HIS children, we are guaranteed a position in HIS house. No matter what we do, we will never be separated from HIM. HE chose us from the beginning and HE will not un-choose us.

The US means HIS children, not the whole world.

What if one were to fall back into a life of willful sin?

The scriptures written above and the comments are very clear. If you are one of those predestined by GOD to be abopted as one of HIS children, you will always be one of HIS children. Why would HE let you fall, except to pick you back up again?

Can someone know the way of righteousness without being adopted?

Without the work of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST within, one cannot know the righteousness of GOD as a part of them.

Can a person be un-born?

no.

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It is important to understand what PAUL means when He uses the term "adoption." "Adoption" in the Greek as well as in the Roman culture (which pertained to his audience in the book of Romans) does not mean, nor does it refer our modern transaction of "adoption" where we go through the legal process of bringing an orphan into our home.

"Adoption" as Paul uses it, always refers to the final, manifestation of redemption. It refers to time when we will receive our glorified bodies.

NONE of us are "adopted" at this point.

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. 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. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:15-23)

We are still waiting on the "adoption" that God has predestined all believers for.

This is a reference to biblical predestination which only applies to what has chosen and predestined for BELIEVERS. This does not support the unbiblical version of predestination that teaches that God chooses who will or will not be saved.

In the Bible predestination ONLY applies to what God has predestined for us AFTER salvation takes place.

So then, is it possible for one who knows the way of righteousness, to turn away from it?

It's called suicide.