Liberty University
Image of Salvation
Emma Pope
THEO104-D02
Prof. Gaston
11/28/2022
Salvation: in its most simple terms is being saved from sin. It’s important to understand
that salvation does not get rid of our sin or make us no longer sin, but it ensures that our sin will
no longer lead to eternal death and that our name is written in the book of life and our place in
Heaven is prepared. Through the doctrine of salvation (adoption, conversion, regeneration,
redemption, reconciliation, justification, election, and glorification) the Holy Spirit dwells in
refining us, and m re.
An adoption is an act of God’s grace and a privilege we have to be received into the
family of God once we accept Christ into our lives. “Having predestined us to adoption as sons
by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5). Just as
adoption is thought of in worldly terms, some of it compares to heavenly terms. When we are
adopted, we are entering into the privileges and responsibilities of another family. The Greek
word for adoption is “huiothesia” and it means to “place as a son”. This is the release from the
slavery of sin and a new position of a free believer of God. Throughout the Bible, adoption is
mentioned several times both directly and indirectly. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament
but can be inferred through the story of Moses (Exodus 2:10), Genubath (1 Kings 11:20), and
Esther (Es 2:7). God declared that he is the Father of the nation Israel, He says it Israel is his
firstborn son whom he loves (Exod 4:22). In the New Testament, the metaphor of adoption
the kingdom.
When we are adopted into the family of God, we gain a new relationship with God and
the Holy Spirit, but we also gain a new relationship with sin. John 5:18 tells us, “No one who is
born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
Realistically as followers of Christ, it is impossible for us to fully keep from sinning. A sermon
by Dr. Derek Thomas titled “Adoption” goes in depth about our new relationship with God and
the problem of sin. He notes that an easier way of interpreting that scripture would be, “No one
who abides in Him keeps on sinning.” This is just his interpretation however I agree with his
outlook on this verse. Coming into a relationship with Christ is supposed to change everything
about our entire life and worldview including the way we look at and process sin. “What John is
saying is that we must never become complacent about our si
saved by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), that does not mean there is nothing we contribute to our
salvation. Jesus Christ saves us, but we accept the gift and turn from evil. When we are adopted,
we cannot sin and think we are magnifying the grace of God. Another analogy to represent our
new relationship to sin after adoption is alluding to our new relationship with God. God becomes
our father, He is no longer a distant relative or acquaintance, therefore his word, rules, and
Jesus, Satan hates us even more.
The doctrine of adoption is a beautiful picture of God’s love and grace for His children.
Therefore, we are called to also love all of God’s children and all people. This is an idea easy to
think about but harder to apply. Love goes very deep beyond its surface-level meaning. Love is
sacrificing things to eliminate stumbling blocks for others (Romans 13:14-23), love is also
patient, kind, and humble (1 Cor 13:4-8). I have chosen to pursue a career in graphic design,
rit the kingdom and are adopted into the
family of God, we must also exude that same unconditional love to others for the simple reason
that He loves us.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in
him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This beautiful demonstration of God’s
love exemplifies the entire gospel and doctrine of salvation and adoption into eternal life.
Salvation is not a surface-level thing and there are many things to understand about it but above
all understanding, God’s love for His people is crucial in adopting the Christian worldview.
Through this essay, I have come to a better understanding of this aspect of salvation.
Works Cited
“Adoption a New Relationship to Sin (HTML).” , Thirdmill
https://thirdmill.org/magazine/article.asp/link/der_thomas%5Eder_thomas.Adopt.06.html/a
t/Adoption.
“Adoption Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary.” , Biblestudytools.com
New International Version. Biblica, 1983, www.biblestudytools.com/niv/
TACAdmin. “The History of Adoption: 4 Adoption Stories in the Bible to Calm Your Heart.”
Texas Adoption Center, 6 Nov. 2020,
https://www.texasadoptioncenter.org/uncategorized/the-history-of-adoption-4-adoption-
stories-in-the-bible-to-calm-your-
heart/#:~:text=Ephesians%201%3A5%20%E2%80%9CGod%20decided,a%20chosen%20
child%20of%20God.
