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It shoudl be noted that in Jewish thought there were two classes of children:
1) Children born of natural descent.
2) Adopted children.
A Jew could disinherit a natural child. He could cast him out of his house and call him son no more. BUT, an adopted son he could NEVER do this to. If the son is adopted by him, it is impossible to cast him away.
Now that is just the Jewish view of children in general. You can walk down to the local synagogue and ask them that question and they will tell you the same thing. Imagine, then, how much more, biblically speaking, that adopted children are or shoudl be viewed by us? And furthermore, WE ARE ALL ADOPTED by God as sons and daughters in Christ. How does God view us as adopted?
NKJ Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." (verse 23) Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
NKJ Romans 9:4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;
NKJ Galatians 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
NKJ Ephesians 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
That about sums it up for those adopted in God's family. How then should you look upon your own children? As God looks at us....
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