Adopted Children of God

From an Africa Study Bible touch point:

Augustine (AD 354–430), a well-known leader of the early church whose writings are often still read today, was born in what is today Algeria. He wrote:

Many times when people are older and do not have a son, they adopt a son to have what nature or circumstance has denied them. But if they have only one son, they rejoice that the son will not have to divide his inheritance with anyone else. 

God does things differently. God sent his only Son, Jesus, into this world so that he might not be alone but have adopted brothers and sisters. We are not born into God’s family the way Jesus was, but we are adopted into God’s family by his grace. Jesus came to release the chains of sin that made us slaves and to redeem us. Jesus freed us himself and made us to be joint heirs with him. 

Unlike an earthly son who is the only son of his father and mother, Jesus was not afraid to make us heirs with him. His inheritance does not decrease if he shares it with the people who are adopted into God’s family. God’s Kingdom has no end. In fact, those who are joint heirs with Christ—all who trust in Jesus for their salvation—become his inheritance and he in turn becomes their inheritance. Let Jesus claim us and let us claim him. He is our Lord, our salvation, our light, and our inheritance. What did Jesus give to those who received him? “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” 

Today: 

We inherit the Holy Spirit, God himself, as God’s children. Praise God for his generosity and for the gift of being part of his family.