Adoption of Sons

From the Pastor:  Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

 

“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.” (Gal. 4:1-2) 

The Apostle Paul is giving a parallel view of the carnal and the spiritual to instruct us in the eternalness of being the sons of God (past, present, and future).  The question is, at what point in time did a believer become an heir?  Perhaps, the true lies in the “adoption of sons.” (Gal. 4:5)  The word “adoption” from the language reveals that it is not - “Well, I think I like that child, so let us do the paperwork and bring him into our family.”  It means that when a child was born then weaned, it was placed under tutors and governors(schoolmasters) until the father determined that he had reached that point in his life to take on full responsibilities as an adult member of the family.  He was set in his birthright place in the family unit for all the duties and benefits bestowed upon him as son of the father. 

Prior to this Paul wrote: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;” (Gal. 1:15-16a)  The Father in His good time set Saul of Tarsus as Paul the Apostle in his place to fulfill his duty to preach Jesus among the nations.  But, when did he become a son?  It is written: “…he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, … Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, …” (Eph. 1:4-5)  The same Greek word for adoption is used in this passage.  When?  We were the sons of God before the world began and set in our place in the Father’s time.  

Of the angels it is written: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb.1:14)  Those who were written in the Lamb’s Book before the foundation of the world are the heirs of salvation and are the sons of God.  In the Father’s time they will be set in their adulthood place.