Romans 6:1-14

One of the central themes in Paul the Apostle's thoughts on God is the theme of Adoption. Paul describes our being gathered up into relationship with God in Jesus as being adopted into God's family. In the Ephesian letter, Paul writes about how he sees the world and God working in it. In chapter 1:4-5 Paul writes:

"Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure." [NLT]

Paul describes the later part of this act of adoption - "bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ" - in greater detail in chapters 5-6 of Romans. In chapter 5 he describes how Jesus comes as the second Adam to undo the curse of sin that runs through humanity intiated by the first Adam. In chapter 6 he describes how we have been set free from the power of sin over our lives through the death and resurrection of Christ. "Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." [6:4b]

In this act of adoption on God's part, we have the privilege of living in open relationship with God as Jesus does. We have been brought into the family. Our identity is now one of son or daughter of God! Sin no longer plays a part in breaking down the relationship we have always had with God. This is now broken and we can feel at home with God!

What an amazing thing God has done for us. How often have you thought of changing your identity for a new one? You know those times when things were so bad you just wish that you were part of another family - maybe one that was richer, more successful, better connected! Anyone who knows the pain of changing your identity knows that its not so simple. You have to erase your past and history so that you can start anew.

Well, what God has done for us has actually restored what we were always created to have - relationship with God! We did not have to lose our past and history. In fact, the pain and guilt of the past is washed away and in its place is a new identity without having to change your name. Its more a swap of parents - so to speak. God changed our destructive, enslaving, demeaning parents for his loving, embracing, forgiving relationship. I speak figuratively of course when I talk of parents but spiritually speaking we no longer are subject to the abuse that sin has had on our lives. We are free to live in open, loving relationship with God all because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God is free now to work in our lives letting us know the depth of God's love.

This adoption is available to everyone! God has obtained this adoption in Jesus. In the context of the Roman church during the time Paul is writing to the believers in Rome, the Gentiles and Jews in the churches were arguing over who had the right of belonging to God over against the other. The issue Paul continues to deal with in this section of the letter is "What to Boast In!" What is boastful is that they now have this relationship with God through Jesus. Sin has been dealt with and they are no longer slaves to it. Christ is their master.

Questions to Consider:

1. What would it feel like to be part of a family that is all embracing, loving, accepting of you for who you are, holding no grudges or malice against you?

2. Consider the fact that "in Christ" you are no longer slave to sin. What do you suppose that means for you in your daily walk?

3. What might you understand now about God's "family" that you didn't realize before?