Ephesians 1:5 "He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ . . ."
* Adoption is a constituted, not a natural, relationship. I.e., it is an act of grace (cf. John 1:12-13).
* Adoption is a constituted, not a natural, relationship. I.e., it is an act of grace (cf. John 1:12-13).
* Adoption is a marvelous display of God's love (cf. 1 John 3:1-3).
* Adoption is both a present reality (Gal. 4:6ff.; Rom. 8:15ff.; 1 John 3:2) and a future hope (Rom. 8:19-23; 1 John 3:1-3).
* Adoption entails an inheritance. As God's children we share in Christ's inheritance. We are co-heirs with him (Rom. 8:17ff; Gal. 4:7).
* Adoption as God's children is staggering, given that apart from saving grace we are "the sons [not of God, but] of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2) and are "by nature the children [not of God, but] of wrath" (Eph. 2:3)! Think about it!!
From Sam Storms <http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/13-6/>
