Maturing Into Adoption

Upcountry Maui Sunset

When we read the scriptures we see that in Christ we are born again. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’”(John 3:5–7). God being rich in mercy and because of His great love makes us alive through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4-7).

Salvation is the beginning of a new life, similar to the birth of a child. Once a baby is born, the challenge of growing up and maturing starts. In Galatians 4 we read that children are treated as slaves under guardians and managers. It is only when we reach maturity that the Father can relate to us as adopted sons and daughters (Galatians 4:1-8). When Christ was telling His disciples that He would leave them He said that it was better for them because He would send the Holy Spirit. He even said that He had many more things to teach them but they were not able to bear them yet (John 16:12-15). The Holy Spirit would teach the disciples and guide them through the process of maturing and learning.

In Ephesians 4 we also read about the necessity of the maturing process in our walk with God. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14a). It is through the relationship with others under the leading of the Holy Spirit that we grow up and mature.

While we are immature we are still under the limitations imposed on us by the Father, similar to the way we place our children under some limitations. As we learn to follow the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit we come into a relationship with the Father as mature sons (Romans 8:18-23).

Ephesians 4:11-16
Galatians 4:1-8
Romans 8:14-23