Confession & Declaration 34
Galatians 4:5 To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God’s sons].
Ephesians 1:5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—
It is amazing that Jesus is our Elder Brother and that we are co-heirs with Him. But even more amazing is the fact that we have been adopted into the Father’s Forever Family. Why is that so amazing? Well let me explain. When Paul wrote the above passages he had in mind the Roman concept of patria potestas. What in the world is patria potestas? Which in latin roughly translates to “power of a father.” The website, U.S. Legal defines the term as: The authority held by a male head of the family over his legitimate and adopted children and other descendents in the male line who are not emancipated. In earlier days the father had extensive power over the family, which included the power of life and death. However with the advent of time, Patria Potestas became limited to the responsibility to support and maintain family members. This is also termed as fatherly power.
Now that is really powerful. But in Roman times the concept of patria potestas also included freeing someone from slavery. The reason being that often those who were adopted had been slaves of their master. Once adopted the slave was made a son, and vested with the privileges, and relationships which came with their new status. Thus they were translated from calling their masters, lord, to calling them Abba, Father! What’s even more amazing is many of the terms we have covered thus far are integrally related with terms such as union with Christ, regeneration, conversion, repentance, faith, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification. These terms become even more powerful when combined with the concept of adoption. Thus adoption becomes more like the embracing and restoration of the prodigal son – receiving a robe, the ring, the feast, and the celebration. And as the parable goes, the Father had been scanning the horizon for his long, lost son and when he caught view of him, pulled up the hem of his robe, tucked it in his belt, and ran to embrace his son. That’s our God and that’s our Heavenly Father.
Thus we see that being related to Jesus has its “perks.” The Father has responsibility to support and maintain us, and we move from being slaves to full-fledged members of the Family. We are no longer in a Master – slave, or Judge – prisoner position. No, now we are in a Father and son relationship. Hallelu – Jah!
Do you see the power of this term and how it can be used against your enemy the accuser of the brothers? When you have the accuser reminding you of your past – you can remind him that he needs to take it up with your Elder Brother, and Father. You are no longer slaves but have been adopted into the Father’s Family. You belong to them: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! It’s Their job to support and maintain you. It’s their fight. The Bible says, The Glory of the LORD will be your Rear Guard. In other words, God’s got your back! Press on! When Satan messes with you – he has picked a fight with the entire Godhead. That’s the coolest picture. It’s like Marvel Comics the Avengers.
Declaration 34: Holy Father. Abba – Daddy, I praise and worship You. You are my Beloved and I am yours. Thank you, thank You for adopting me into Your Forever Family. I thank and praise You that the entire Godhead has my back. Your Glory is my Rearguard. Thank You that I am no longer a slave to sin. Thank You that I am a child of Yours. Thank You for scanning the horizon for me, hitching up Your robe and running to embrace me. I leap into Your arms Father and receive Your Love. I hold You tight as You hold me. I am Yours. You have adopted me. I am Your son – by the Precious Blood of Your Son. Thank You Father for Jesus paying for me to adopted by You. You are my Treasure and Delight. I worship You! Thank You Father! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Holy Spirit! You are my Family. What a marvelous Family it is.
