Thoughts on Galatians 4:5: Adoption

Jesus redeems us from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). That term redeem means to gain possession of something in exchange for payment. What is paid and what is received? Verse 5 tells us. Jesus redeems us, he makes the payment for us. On the cross Jesus paid the price for all sin, past, present, and future (Heb 10:12). What do we gain? We gain sonship. We become children of God. We are adopted into the family of the Almighty. In Knowing God, J.I. Packer devotes an entire chapter to the idea of adoption. He says “were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.” (Packer) He goes on to talk about the benefits of adoption: “First, the family relationship must be an abiding one, lasting forever. Perfect parents do not cast off their children. Christians may act the prodigal, but God will not cease to act the prodigal’s Father. Second, God will go out of His way to make His children feel His love for them and know their privilege and security as members of His family. Adopted children need assurance that they belong, and a perfect parent will not withhold it.” (Packer)