By George E. Markakis, www.cdrm.org
In this
second part of the article we are examining the concept of adoption, which
gives rise to the spirit of boldness – which we examined in the first part of
the article.
We earlier
stated that boldness in God arises
out of our adoption by God. We have examined the concept of boldness, as a much needed
attribute that helps us enter and stay in the Kingdom of God. However, this
concept of conditionally entering/staying in the Kingdom, on the basis of
having boldness or not, seems to contradict the concept of adoption, which is
believed to open the doors of the Kingdom for us, no matter if we have/display
boldness, or not. It is believed that either we are adopted by God, or, we are
not! We cannot earn our adoption through boldness, can we?
This is a
question that fringes on the theological debate between Calvinism and
Arminianism on the doctrines of predestination and assurance of salvation –
that is not an area where I want to go. I want to examine the concept of
adoption as a principle that provides the foundation for boldness. If in the
process of this examination it appears that this ages-old debate is indirectly
addressed, let us please make an effort to refrain from scrutinizing the case
under the light of past theological ideas and argumentation. Let us be open and
allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth through the scriptures.
Whenever we
study the scriptures under such potentially divisive circumstances we are
always faced with the following simple choice: either we allow the scriptures
to speak to us, and we patiently follow through the process of presentation
until we have the complete picture, or, we instantly discard whatever does not
fit in with our preconceived ideas and doctrines. In such case, if the
presenter and the scriptures are straightforward, but we simply refuse to allow
them to speak to us, then, frankly, we take the place of God and impose upon
the scriptures what we want them to tell us.
Back to the main
subject, the environment in which we have examined boldness in the first part
of the article was one of confrontation between the Kingdom of God and
the satanic kingdom of darkness – that is the environment in which boldness is
needed. Outside of an environment of confrontation of an advancing Kingdom of
God, and a retreating but forcefully defending kingdom of darkness, there is
hardly place for violently exercising boldness, because there is no adversary
against whom to display boldness.
We will examine
adoption within the same environment; we will review the relevant scriptures,
which reveal the same confrontation, which in fact pertains to almost all
scriptural truth. That is not by selection, but because that is where the
scriptures lead us. Here is a foundational scripture on adoption, which
contrasts the works of darkness through the flesh to the victory that the
Spirit of God gives, because of the spirit of adoption:
ü Romans
8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For
all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For
you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you
have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”.
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with
Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Again
the concept of boldness is revealed through these scriptures, even though the
word is not used per se; the works of the flesh enslave us to the spirit of
fear, but the spirit of adoption gives us the needed boldness to put to death
the works of the flesh – again, we see here the concept of war, through which
the Kingdom of God is advancing in our own lives. God’s adoption gives us the
right to victory. However, we need to remember that having the right to victory
does not automatically cause victory to manifest in our lives. It was the same
with the Jews on their way from Egypt to the Promise Land, as we examined in the
first part of the article. Their right to victory was given for free from the
Lord, but their decisions and actions would determine if that victory would
manifest in their lives. It is the same with our fight against the flesh – we
have the right to victory against its power over us – a right given by the
Lord, because He freely gave us the spirit of adoption, but we need to win the
battle too.
Adoption
in Greek is “iothesia” which comes from “ios” (son) and “thesis”
(position). Therefore, to adopt literally means “to position one as a son”.
Still,
even though the word adoption logically implies a positional status, let us not
miss Paul’s conditional statement: “if indeed we suffer
with Him, that we may also be glorified together”.
This
is in line with the concept we examined in the first part, that only those who
overcome shall inherit all things, and sit with Jesus on His Throne. It shows
that the adoption may not necessarily be an already complete and de facto
granted status quo, but, rather, a process which God initiates, which may reach
the state of completion (or, it may not), subject to our alignment with
Jesus on the battle front, where we are called to wage war against the sin of
the flesh.
Paul
says that a spiritual life is not subject to a God given decree, but rather,
the result of how we live: “if you live according to the flesh you will
die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”. Then Paul says to the Christians in Rome,
those whom he calls “brethren” (in v.12),
that our sonship in God is not the result of a divinely instituted decree, but
“sons of God are all who are being led by the Spirit of God”; so what is the implication for those Christian
brethren who are not led by the Spirit of God? The first verse of the chapter
indicates that they are under condemnation:
ü Romans
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who
are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to
the Spirit.
Further
on in the chapter Paul explains the process of adoption in further detail:
ü Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the
first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly
waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were
saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still
hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we
eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
This scripture clearly shows that the
adoption is NOT YET, but we are “eagerly waiting for” it! Even though Paul says “we were saved”, he explains
that this is not a finished positional status, but one received “in this hope” – which is “what we do not see”, but “we eagerly wait for it with perseverance”.
Let us consider with simplicity of mind,
without allowing theological precepts and academic education impose upon us
predetermined doctrines; what does it mean to receive something in faith?
It means: I believe I
will have it; I am convinced it is coming; I behave as if I already have it;
but the truth of the matter is that it is not present reality yet. In fact,
when it becomes reality, there is no more faith involved – it is a given fact
of life, physically experienced, not by faith but in practical reality.
That which connects what we have in faith,
to what we experience in actual reality, is our perseverance through the trials
and temptations which aim at instilling doubt and disbelief about the coming
object of faith, before it actually arrives. If we succumb to doubt and disbelief,
what we have believed for may never actually materialise, because we failed the
trial of faith… such is the case with adoption, too. It is received by faith,
we walk in it as if it were already here, but in practical reality it is
something that we are eagerly awaiting to come as living experience that will
replace faith. It is a lifetime of expectation, that will materialise when we
depart from physical life, to embrace the immortal, eternal, spiritual,
heavenly body, IF we do not fail the test of faith along the way, says Paul!
This
concept of “perseverance” throughout our lifetime of living in a state of
adoption which is received by faith, but not yet practical reality, brings back
the concept of “shameless persistence”.
Even more so, as the environment to which Paul refers is one of confrontation
with the sin of the flesh. It also reminds us of the words of Jesus, where He
stresses our responsibility in possessing life:
ü Luke
21:19 By your patience possess your souls.
Paul's straightforward statement is that the adoption is NOT YET; adoption therefore means RECEIVING AS SONS, those who were not initially born of the Father's own sperm. I.e. same concept as "adoption" legally carries through to this day.
The
Bible is telling us that WE
ARE BEING ADOPTED by God,
even though we were not originally born of Him. This calls for further
examination in light of John’s words about being born from above, by the Spirit
of the Lord (3:3, 5). We need to understand that concept of BIRTH FROM ABOVE, in the light of other scriptures.
ü Romans
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may be approved* in that which is good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.
{* most Bibles use “you may prove”; my version is based on the Greek verb, grammar, biblical context and other supporting verses speaking of the same subject; there is a separate study available on the correct interpretation of this expression, which is not for this study here}
This
scripture is telling us that there is a process of transformation, which
displaces that which is outside of God’s will, as we present it as a burnt
offering to the Lord, and substitutes the new nature which comes from the Lord
for it. The question is: that which is of the old, carnal nature – is that of
God, or, of the sinful nature in which we were born? Of course it was not of
God!
What
then is of God? Only that which was born of Him, which gradually penetrated our
human nature through the process of transformation – and only to the degree to
which we were willing to let go of the sinful carnal, and were willing to die
on to ourselves in that particular area.
Therefore,
each one of us at any given point in time consists of parts which were born
along with the sinful carnal nature, and parts which were born of the Spirit of
the Lord. That shows the progression of the transforming process, which
determines the degree to which we are godly, or not.
ü 2Cor
3:18 But we all,
with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the
Spirit.
We all
have the experience of people we know – we can easily discern which elements in
their nature are the fruit of the process of transformation, and which elements
are residues of the sinful carnal nature which need to be removed.
What elements determine the BIRTH
FROM ABOVE, which John spoke of?
We are often misled into thinking that BIRTH OUT OF GOD's SPIRIT is to be interpreted as ORIGINAL and COMPLETE BIRTH, pertaining to genuine sons born of the Father's sperm. But I understand that what John speaks of is really the birthing of a process, which makes us conditionally come to the position of sons, however, still awaiting for the outcome of the process and the final approval for this position to assume its complete power and authority.
We
often think of this process in terms of one dimension: Father and
what was born of Him. Now this study exposes us to a new
dimension: a two ended activity,
which began with the Father and His Spirit given to man, in order to help the
progress and growth, through a process which may lead to the other end, subject
to man's identification with the (new) character (nature) of
God. The two ends must remain in agreement in order for the process to reach
completion.
When
the two ends meet, then the ADOPTION will take its full effect and become
complete. The Spirit of God in man is therefore not a sign of
COMPLETE BIRTH, but a promise and a supernatural help that
accompanies us along the way to the other end of the adoption process. It is a
pledge by the Father that as long as we stay on course, He will not abandon us
from His end; however, it is not a promise that if WE abandon the process He
would still consider us sons. Apparently, He would not, and that is in line
with all the other scriptures we are examining in this study.
Sonship in
this context of God’s adoption is not out of an instantaneous birth, but out of
a gradual mingling,
which is conditional upon man's subjection to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
It is the result of a process, through which believers are being "sonized"
(Recovery Version-Eph.1:5, footnote 2).
The process starts with the original repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who
purchases the sinner through the redemption from sin that He provided through
His blood. The process continues with the transformation of our soul, and will
be consummated with the redemption of our body (Recovery
Version -Rom.8:23, footnote 3).
In the Jewish tradition a father could disown his own son, but he could never disown an adopted son. God promises the same; He will not disown us. However, an adopted son has the option of disowning his foster father, whereas a genuine son may depart, but he could never nullify the fact that his father's blood is in his veins.
We have known examples of people whom God chose for adoption, but they
disowned Him!
ü Gal
4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption
as sons.
ü Romans
9:4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the
covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;
Yet
the Jews lost it –the adoption–, because they hardened their hearts! Jesus
wanted very much to gather to Himself the chosen people of God, but they were
not willing…
ü Luke
13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to
you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers
her chicks under her wings , but
you were not willing!
God’s sovereignty seeks willing recipients
Paul
has placed a lot of emphasis on man’s responsibility to become a worthy
recipient and container of God’s free grace. When he speaks of that
responsibility, he always points us in the direction of a war zone, where there
is a constant confrontation with the powers of darkness.
ü 2Tim
2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier
of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs
of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in
athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
There
is a clear parallel between becoming sons by adoption and becoming crowned upon
the condition that we have competed according to the rules! This is also in
line with a number of other scriptures, which focus on our responsibility to
become aligned and worthy of the gifts, which the Sovereign God chose to freely
bestow upon us, alas, under the condition that we make ourselves able
containers, approved in action, after we are tested. James wrote:
ü James
1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God
has promised to those who love him.
Paul
also said to Timothy:
ü 2Tim
4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am
already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is
at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only
but also to all who have loved His appearing..
Paul placed the emphasis for the crown of
righteousness NOT upon the sovereign grace of the Lord to forgive sin, but upon
his own perseverance through the “good fight”, throughout which Paul says of himself: “I
have kept the faith” – and the
implication from the above scriptures is that to finish the race successfully,
one needs to “be watchful in all things” and “endure
afflictions”.
ü 1Cor
9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And
everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it
to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I
run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should become disqualified..
Paul feared that he might become
disqualified, a possibility along the process of the fight!
ü Hebr
3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief in departing {or, that falls away}
from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called
"Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if
we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end...
As Paul feared of a potential
disqualification, the author of Hebrews explains the condition through which we
may “become partakers of Christ” – and that is: “if
we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end”! Becoming partaker of Christ is not by
God’s decree alone, but a conditional state determined by our own response to
God’s sovereign calling and free gift.
That is a clear testimony to the concept
that adoption is a process with a beginning and an end. It is a process which
is like a fight, or, a race; we need to behave like good soldiers, and be
always ready like athletes who endure all things as they do their best to win
the first prize.
Likewise, our adoption of God is like a
prize – it is given to us, but we need to make ourselves worthy in order to
receive it, and the process is not an easy one, unless we exercise boldness and
a shamelessly aggressive attitude, as we confront our enemy.
God has already done the work through which we are
gradually sanctified
ü Hebr 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected
forever those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said
before, 16 "This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I
will write them," 17 [then] [He] [adds], "Their sins and their
lawless deeds I will remember no more."
18 Now where
there is remission of these, [there] [is] no longer an offering for sin. 19
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood
of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the
veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and [having] a High Priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold
fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised
[is] faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and
good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the
manner of some, but exhorting [one] [another], and so much the more as you see
the Day approaching.
Man can wilfully nullify God’s sanctification beyond
repair
26 For if we sin willfully after we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for
sins, 27 but a
certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will
devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without
mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse
punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son
of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified
a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know
Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And
again, "The Lord will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.
The process of sanctification determines the outcome
of the adoption process
In the light of
all the above, let us recall Paul’s words: “if you live according to the flesh you
will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will
live”; and, “sons of God are all who are being led by
the Spirit of God”. Therefore, our sonship, i.e. adoption, is not determined so much by
the one time act which God did to perfect us through Jesus Christ, but our
adoption is a function of our own determination to remain steadfast, without
wavering, under the leading of the Spirit of God. If we fail to remain in the
right place, God promises vengeance, judgment, and even death. This is the spiritual
environment which explains the death of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts ch. 5, and the many weak and sick, and the many
dead, in the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 11:30).
Adoption is indeed a process & boldness is a
weapon for victory
We obtain the legal rights to God’s
adoption on the basis of our own walk of transformation (i.e. outcome of
sanctification) with God, as we are confronted by the elements of the world.
Without boldness in the face of adversity, we cannot position ourselves in
superiority over our enemy.
The spirit of adoption was given by the
Lord to generate in us the boldness we need to defeat our spiritual enemies.
Our boldness, in turn, when exercised for the purpose of defeating our enemies,
is a powerful weapon which can help us complete the course in which the Lord set
us, so that we may receive the promised adoption, which we have already
received by faith, because of God’s promise.
Our boldness comes from God’s promise for
adoption, and our adoption is the final outcome of our boldness through which
we stand victorious in the battlefield.
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This report was posted on June 8, 2004, at http://www.cdrm.org/teaching
All ownership rights reserved by the
author, George E. Markakis
Shalom Christian Center – A House of Prayer
8,
Akominatou street, Athens, Greece
http://www.cdrm.org Email: markakis.g@cdrm.org
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