For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Rom. 8:15)

The day I surrendered to Christ in repentance and faith I received the “spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15), the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:5). This means that I now have many benefits and blessings from God that I was not previously entitled to. As a “son of God” I now have a new Father, a new family, a new future and a new foundation. These wonderful truths come to light in a powerful way through a study of 1 John 3:1-3.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). My new Father calls me His son. I am loved by Him, so much so, that he sent His only Son to die for me, that I might live (1 John 4:9-10, Romans 5:8). He loved me before I loved Him, and He still loves me when I’m bad.

As is the nature of adoption, I am not only loved by my new Father, I have been chosen by Him, as part of a “royal priesthood”. He called me “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Not only that, but I am known by Him (1 John 3:1, Galatians 4:9). In fact, He knows me better than I know myself!

As one who has received the “adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:5), and a new Father, it follows that I am now part of a new family. My new Father has made me “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6), no longer an outcast, no longer alone, but “an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7, Romans 8:14, Titus 3:7). But that’s not all!

Having a new Father and a new family means I also have a new future. One day I will be like my Father (1 John 3:2). I will be “transformed by the renewing of my mind” (Romans 12:2), and conformed to the “image of His son” (Romans 8:29). I am being reformed as I walk with Him. Romans 6 is becoming the reality of my life:

I was dead in trespasses and sin, but now I’m baptized into His death (verse 3). I was walking in darkness and death, but now I walk in the Light, in the newness of life (verse 4) and in the likeness of His Resurrection (verse 5). I was dead unto sin, but now death has no more dominion over me; I’m ALIVE unto God through Jesus Christ my Lord. I was a slave to sin, but now I’m a servant of righteousness. Now that I’ve been made free from sin, and become a servant to God, I have my fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (verse 22). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (verse 23).

This man who was once an orphan, is now the son of a new Father, adopted into a new family with a new future, and now I have also been given a new foundation (1 John 3:3). “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son” into my heart (Galatians 4:6). My Foundation is the Holy Spirit of God within me, who gives me the power to be pure, and righteous.