One of the most beautiful metaphors for how God has brought us into relationship with Himself is the idea of adoption. Paul speaks of this in at least the following passages:
- “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” (Rom. 8:15, ESV)
- “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”” (Gal. 4:4–6, ESV)
- “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:4c–6, ESV)
What can we learn from these passages about God’s love for us and our relationship to Him? We can learn that we are children who have been set free from slavery and fear and set in the Heavenly family as part of God’s precious treasure (the Beloved). No longer do we have to cry out in fear as slaves of sin under the just condemnation of God’s wrath; rather, we cry out in familial love as kids of our benevolent Abba Father, our Heavenly Daddy.
We see ourselves not against backdrop of who we used to be (slaves) and where we used to be (outside – not belonging) but as Beloved ones. The Spirit now residing in us overflows in a cry not of fear but of longing – longing to be in the presence of our Dad (Abba) who loves us with tender compassion. And, when we reach up in Spirit-generated prayer we realize that He is already there with us. The Father has made us His kids; He has conferred “Sonship” status to us whereby we are equal heirs with Christ Jesus, the Beloved Son. We discover that we are Beloved as well.
But all this came at a great price. Jesus, the divine Son spent His life fulfilling the Law on behalf of rebel sons. Jesus, the innocent Son gave His life in the place of spiritual orphans – guilty Lawbreakers. In short, God adopted those who are in Christ at great cost to Himself. God changed spiritual orphans to sons and daughters.
What is true in the spiritual realm is also true in the physical. Each time a human parent decides to adopt an orphaned child there is a great cost involved. Many times a tremendous financial cost is involved; certainly there is always an emotional price to be paid. It is difficult to pay both.
The Karis Adoption Fund exists to glorify God by helping Christians change orphans to sons and daughters through adoption. Serving Oklahoma families as well as some Ukrainian families, the Karis Adoption Fund has already helped a variety of families financially, empowering them to accomplish their goal of adopting a child. The financial cost of adoption can range from the mid-20 thousands to the mid-40 thousands of dollars. It’s expensive.
The Karis Adoption Fund has been blessed by the generous donations of God’s people. It is ready to help families offset the cost of adoption. If you are in the process of adoption, reside in Oklahoma, and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior we’d love to hear from you. Contact James Hunt at jhunt@councilroad.org and request an application for the Karis Adoption Fund.