‘As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’ John 1:12.
Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption.
The qualification of the persons is, ‘As many as received him.’ Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, ‘to them that believe in his name.’ The specification of the privilege is, ‘to them gave he power to become the sons of God.’ The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies dignity and prerogative: he dignified them to become the sons of God.
Our sonship differs from Christ’s. He was the Son of God by eternal generation, a son before time; but our sonship is, (1.) By creation. ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:78. This is no privilege; for men may have God for their Father by creation, and yet have the devil for their father. (2.) Our sonship is by adoption. ‘He gave them power to become the sons of God.’
Adoption is twofold. External and federal: as those who live in a visible church, and make a profession of God, are sons. ‘The children of the kingdom shall be cast out.’ Matt 8:12. Real and gracious: as they are sons who are God’s favourites, and are heirs of glory. Before I proceed to the questions, I shall lay down three positions.
L Adoption takes in all nations. A first adoption was confined to the people of the Jews, who alone were grafted into the true olive, and were dignified with glorious privileges. ‘Who are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory.’ Rom 9:9. But now, in the time of the gospel, the charter is enlarged, and the believing Gentiles are within the line of communication, and have a right to the privileges of adoption as well as the Jews. ‘In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him.’ Acts 10:35.
II. Adoption takes in both sexes, females as well as males. ‘I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.’ 2 Cor 6:18. I have read, that in some countries, females are excluded from the supreme dignity, as by the Salique law in France, no woman can inherit a crown; but of spiritual privileges, females are as capable as males. Every gracious soul (of whatever sex) lays claim to adoption, and has an interest in God as a father. ‘Ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’
III. Adoption is an act of pure grace. ‘Having predestinated us to the adoption of children, according to the good pleasure of his will.’ Eph 1:1. Adoption is a mercy spun out of the bowels of free grace. All by nature are strangers, therefore have no right to sonship. God is pleased to adopt one, and not another; to make one a vessel of glory, another a vessel of wrath. The adopted heir may cry out, ‘Lord, how is it, that thou wilt show thyself to me, and not unto the world?’
What is this filiation or adoption?
It is taking a stranger into the relation of a son and heir; as Moses was the adopted son of King Pharaoh’s daughter, Exod 2:20, and Esther was the adopted child of her cousin Mordecai. Esth 2:2. Thus God adopts us into the family of heaven, and God in adopting us does two things:
(1.) He ennobles us with his name. He who is adopted bears the name of him who adopts him. ‘I will write on him the name of my God.’ Rev 3:12.
(2.) God consecrates us with his Spirit. Whom he adopts, he anoints; whom he makes sons, he makes saints. When a man adopts another for his son and heir, he may put his name upon him, but he cannot put his disposition into him; if he be of a morose rugged nature, he cannot alter it; but whom God adopts he sanctifies; he not only gives a new name but a new nature. 2 Pet 1:1. He turns the wolf into a lamb; he makes the heart humble and gracious; he works such a change as if another soul dwelt in the same body.
From what state does God take us when he adopts us?
From a state of sin and misery. Pharaoh’s daughter took Moses out of the ark of bulrushes in the water, and adopted him for her son. God did not take us out of the water, but out of our blood, and adopted us. Ezek 16:6. He adopted us from slavery: it is a mercy to redeem a slave, but it is more to adopt him.
To what does God adopt us?
(1.) He adopts us to a state of excellence. It were much for God to take a clod of dust, and make it a star; it is more for him to take a piece of clay and sin, and adopt it for his heir.
(2.) God adopts us to a state of liberty. Adoption is a state of freedom; a slave being adopted is made a free man. ‘Thou art no more a servant but a son.’ Gal 4:4. How is an adopted son free? Not to do what he lists; but he is free from the dominion of sin, the tyranny of Satan, and the curse of the law. He is free in the manner of worship. He has God’s free Spirit, which makes him free and cheerful in the service of God; he is ‘joyful in the house of prayer.’ Isa 56:6.
(3.) God adopts us to a state of dignity. He makes us heirs of promise, he installs us into honour. ‘Since thou west precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable.’ Isa 43:3. The adopted are God’s treasure; Exod 19:9; his jewels; Mal 3:17; his first-born; Heb 12:23. They have angels for their life-guards. Heb 1:14. They are of the blood royal of heaven. I John 3:3. The Scripture has set forth their spiritual heraldry; they have their escutcheon or coat-armour; sometimes the lion for courage; Prov 28:1; sometimes the dove for meekness; Cant 2:14; sometimes the eagle for flight; Isa 40:01: Thus you see their coat of arms displayed.