Question # 1: Does it look like v.15 and v. 23 contradict each other? At first Paul seems to say that we already have a spirit of adoption: are already free, full children of God. But later, we are waiting for adoption, and creation groans with us in the waiting.
Question # 2: I heard a great sermon on the jubilee year the other day, and now I'm wondering if this passage contains veiled references ... v. 23, could "the redemption of our bodies" refer to that time when all is returned to its rightful place, the land is redeemed, debts are forgiven, etc.?
Kay
Kay,
Question #1 - It looks like a contradiction by it refers to a final realization of the adoption into which we will be gathered up together into Heaven at the end of the age. Yet, while we await we also experience the reality of being God's Children this day. We are now children of God, but we have yet to fully experience what that means!
<>< Kingdom DJ
Kay,
Question #1 - It looks like a contradiction by it refers to a final realization of the adoption into which we will be gathered up together into Heaven at the end of the age. Yet, while we await we also experience the reality of being God's Children this day. We are now children of God, but we have yet to fully experience what that means!
<>< Kingdom DJ
I'm still in the "brooding" process on this one.
My question for you: What does it mean to be "a child of God" (?) . . . Who IS a child of God? . . . and who (if anyone) ISN'T a child of God?
Anyway, I'm preaching on Romans 8:12-25 this coming Sunday, and I think that whole issue of being a child of God, etc., is going to be the focal point for my message . . . at least that's my thought now. . . . I'm also planning to allude to John 1:12 and Matt. 23:37, but the Romans passage is my primary sermon text. So if you have any feedback or thoughts on this topic, regarding children of God, I'd welcome your insights, comments, etc. I'm calling the sermon "All God's Children," but probably won't get into serious writing of it before Friday night this week, because of other stuff going on.
Dave K. <><
"God loves you and there's nothing you can do about it."
What makes the "child of God" image so striking in this passage is its contrast to the "fearful slave" image. I've been trying to imagine what it would be like to run from slavery into the arms of a loving parent.
Heard something once about an old map that was found -- a section labled "the land of the look behind" -- a reference to the place where slaves would run, and have to be constantly looking over their shoulders to be sure they weren't being pursued. Anybody remember more details? I'm wondering if we tend to live more in "the land of the look behind" than "the land of the look ahead" (which might be the hope that Paul offers as our response to this now-and-not-yet reality) ...?
Kay
July 13
Regarding the "child of God" image. I like to think about it in this way. When one is born of biological parents, there are similarities - ie: hair color, physical size, dimples, etc. Other things are more a matter of our enviroment - mannerisms, likes and dislikes, etc. Being born of God means that there are similarities to God - especially those of the Spirit. Children of God love one another, have compassion on the neighbor, spend time in prayer, worship and service. We don't have the same color of eyes as the Father, but we see things in the same way as the Father because of the family environment into which we have been adopted. It is much the same for adopted families on earth - in spite of differences of appearance the people all become at least somewhat like one another in behavior.
PrMB
David K,
I am of the opinion that all of us humans are children of God. No one is excluded from that by virtue of humanity being created in the image of God.
How we grow up from that Child of the Creator depends upon how Grace shapes us and how we recognize God's Grace at work in, through and around us.
I am not sure if that is helpful, but it is my initial response to your question.
Christ's Peace to you, Dwight
David K,
I am of the opinion that all of us humans are children of God. No one is excluded from that by virtue of humanity being created in the image of God.
How we grow up from that Child of the Creator depends upon how Grace shapes us and how we recognize God's Grace at work in, through and around us.
I am not sure if that is helpful, but it is my initial response to your question.
Christ's Peace to you, Dwight
I also want to say that all humans are children of the one Heavenly Father -- but I cannot. Although we are all made in the image of God, we are not made of the "stuff" of God. That is to say, there is a real and substantial difference between being made in the image of God and being made god. It seems to me that Paul understands there to be a real difference, also. For him, heavenly childhood (if one can call it that) is a gift bestowed upon the believer with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are not children of God because we are made in God's image, but because we have been adopted by God in our baptism.
I, too, am leaning toward preaching on this subject this Sunday. I suppose I'd better get my thoughts together quickly since I'll be away at a workshop for the next three days. It seems to me that one of the critical issues here is 'what does a child of God look like? What are the marks that distinguish him or her from other people who are also made in the image of God but who do not bear God's Holy Spirit and have not been adopted by God?' And also, what difference does it make to the one who does bear the Spirit of adoption? what difference does it make to the world?
Jim in the Blue Ridge
Who is a child of God? John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received him (Jesus Christ) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." TheREV in WA
Another thought on "Who is a child of God?" Ephesians 5 begins by saying, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." The rest of Ephesians 5 gives suggestions on how to live as a child of God. It gives some "don'ts" and some "do's" talks about purity, holiness, love, giving thanks, living as children of light, living wisely and finding out what pleases the Lord. I think there is enough "brain candy" in Eph 5 to get the creative juices flowing on finding out the definition of a child of God. God bless you in your search. TheREV in WA
Here's a quick story about the "spirit of adoption." When I was a little girl, my mother used to say to me "If all the little girls in the world were lined up and I could choose, I'd choose you." In my literal mind, that was what had happened -- I was adopted, i.e., chosen. (I wasn't, but it sounded pretty special to me.) Now, as the parent of three adopted special needs daughters, I think of that image of being chosen frequently. When my youngest (adopted at age 8) was teased by classmates for being adopted, she responded: "Well, at least my mom chose me -- your parents just got stuck with you!" not the kindest remark, but it makes being adopted seem pretty good.
Ev in Kansas
Ev in Kansas and others:
Regarding the adoptive issue...
My wife and I adopted a child from Thailand 1.5 years ago (we already have 2 biological children). The process took nearly 2 years before we had the child and it still is not TOTALLY finished (we are legally the parents, but we are awaiting our child becoming a US citizen). Further, it cost thousands of dollars and a trip to a foreign land. All of this stands in contrast to the relative ease of a biological birth (even my wife agrees with this). And yes, we CHOSE this child.
So be it with our adoption by God through Christ. God made an extra effort. God could have easily avoided the whole "mess" and started over with new children or a new race or a new Earth but that's not what God did. God sent a Son to a foreign land to live among a people who had forgotten who He was, and He paid the ultimate price with His life. And in the process, we have been adopted....any guess where I am going with my sermon on Sunday?!?
Clint in Pittsburgh
Ev in Kansas and others:
Regarding the adoptive issue...
My wife and I adopted a child from Thailand 1.5 years ago (we already have 2 biological children). The process took nearly 2 years before we had the child and it still is not TOTALLY finished (we are legally the parents, but we are awaiting our child becoming a US citizen). Further, it cost thousands of dollars and a trip to a foreign land. All of this stands in contrast to the relative ease of a biological birth (even my wife agrees with this). And yes, we CHOSE this child.
So be it with our adoption by God through Christ. God made an extra effort. God could have easily avoided the whole "mess" and started over with new children or a new race or a new Earth but that's not what God did. God sent a Son to a foreign land to live among a people who had forgotten who He was, and He paid the ultimate price with His life. And in the process, we have been adopted....any guess where I am going with my sermon on Sunday?!?
Clint in Pittsburgh
Greetings Brothers and Sisters!
I am focusing my sermon on verse 17 of Romans 8. Being adopted children of God makes us heirs of God, along with Christ. As such, we are entitled to all of the treasures of the Kingdom of God which God has promised us.
As an only child, my parents told me that "one day, all of this will be yours," as they looked around the house. As thier heir, they left all of thier posessions to me. However, they had not envisioned going into a nursing home. Now, all that they had promised to me as thier heir is being taken by Medicaid to pay for their nursing home stays.
The title of my sermon is "In Heaven There Is No Medicaid!" I will talk about how nothing can take the heirlooms of God from us, which God has promised to us.
Any thoughts?