Mike Parsons –
God’s desire is for us to embody love because we are made in His image—He is love, light and spirit. Our spirits are light, and we’re designed to love just as God does. The highest goal is to give love, reflecting God’s image. When we follow an independent path, it distorts love into a need and driving force, leading us to seek love from others rather than giving it ourselves.
A common misunderstanding is that we were separated from God and need adoption back into His family. This view, often held in evangelical circles, is flawed. God never separated from us; we were never outside His family. So adoption is our coming of age within that family, not rescue from abandonment. Biblical adoption is about maturity and coming into full authority from the Father, not placing orphans into new families. Genesis 1:26 shows that God created us in His image and blessed us to be fruitful and rule on the earth. Adam’s choice to walk independently disrupted this plan, but now, in Christ, we are redefined by our identity in Him.
Any idea that Jesus is the true Son and we are merely adopted obscures our true identity: we have always been God’s children, made in His image and likeness. Our perception of rejection or abandonment is false. Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” The Spirit is in everyone, guiding us all, even if we don’t always follow. When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into His disciples, He revealed their true identity. We all have received God’s Spirit, confirming that we are His children and helping us understand who we really are.
So our Western and Roman concept of ‘adoption’ might not fully capture what the Bible word means. Some interpret adoption as something that happens when we accept salvation or when God adopts us. However, this interpretation can also imply that we were once orphans or outside God’s family, which isn’t accurate. Romans 8:15-17 explains that we have received the Spirit of adoption, not as a sign of previous separation but to affirm our existing sonship. The Spirit confirms that we are already God’s children and co-heirs with Christ. This adoption isn’t about coming from outside into the family but recognising our inherent identity as God’s offspring.
God has always been our origin; we just need to rediscover this truth. Romans 8:14-17 in the Mirror Bible describes the Spirit leading us into the fullness of life in God, showing that we are His children, not through fear but through a relationship with Abba Father.
And Jesus’ suffering was for our benefit, not a requirement for entering our inheritance. The idea that we must suffer to gain inheritance is a misunderstanding. Jesus suffered so that we wouldn’t have to face the same trials. We are not orphans; Jesus assured us that He would not leave us as orphans but would come to us, showing that God dwells within us and is not distant or rejecting. If we teach that people are orphans or rejected by God, we distort the gospel and the true nature of salvation. The message of salvation reflects God’s nature as loving and inclusive, not as one who condemns or separates.
We have the rights and responsibilities of sonship, as part of God’s royal family. Peter tells us that we’re privileged to represent God on earth, showing others what He is like through our relationship with Him. Initially, Israel was meant to fulfil this role, but their system became law-based rather than grace-based. Romans 8:19 reveals that creation eagerly awaits the revealing of God’s children. If we see ourselves as ‘lesser’ adopted children, we miss out on our role as co-creators with God. Being part of a royal family gives us access to the Heavenly Palace, where we’re seated with Jesus and can engage with God intimately in His presence.
Despite being taught that we’re orphans needing adoption, the truth is we’ve always been part of God’s family. According to Ephesians 1:4, our restored face-to-face relationship with God is a done deal, and God’s love will eventually bring everyone to this realisation. Our true identity means we don’t need to live like orphans. We can experience our origin in first love, knowing God as our loving Father. The Spirit confirms this, enabling us to call God “Abba Father.”
Picture a door in your spirit.
God is knocking: invite Him in.
As He enters, He hugs you and breathes His life into you.
Feel His heartbeat and embrace.
Know that you’re home.
He whispers into your heart,
sharing His love and affirmation,
telling you how treasured and loved you are.
Sons of Issachar 