Adopted vs 收养
Dexu Xia
Adopted
God sent his Son . . . that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4–5
I’m glad when a philanthropist builds an orphanage for homeless children. I’m thrilled when that person gives even more and adopts one of them. Most orphans would be delighted merely to have a patron. But then to learn the sponsor isn’t content merely to help me but also wants me. How must that feel?
If you’re a child of God you already know, because it’s happened to you. We couldn’t complain if God had merely loved us enough to send His Son that we might “not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It would be enough for us. But not for God. He “sent his Son . . . to redeem” us, not as an end in itself, but “that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4–5).
The apostle Paul refers to us as “sons” because in his day it was common for sons to inherit their father’s wealth. His point is that now everyone who puts their faith in Jesus, whether man or woman, becomes a “son” of God with equal and full rights of inheritance (v. 7).
God does not merely want to save you. He wants you. He has adopted you into His family, given you His name (Revelation 3:12), and proudly calls you His child. You could not possibly be loved more, or by anyone more important. You aren’t merely blessed by God. You are the child of God. Your Father loves you.
Father, what a privilege to call You this! Thank You for saving me, and for wanting me.
Welcome to Mike Wittmer! Meet all our authors at odb.org/all-authors.
You are more than saved. You are loved.
收养
上帝就差遣祂的儿子，……叫我们得着儿子的名分。-加拉太书4章4-5节
看到有慈善家为无家可归的孩童设立孤儿院，令我开心不已。更令我感动的是这慈善家还收养其中一个孤儿，让他成为自己的儿子。大多数的孤儿只要有人资助就很开心了，但如果能成为资助人的儿女，那会是一种什么样的感觉呢？
如果你是上帝的儿女，应该早已明白这种感觉，因这事就发生在你身上。如果上帝只是爱我们，赐下爱子使我们“不至灭亡，反得永生”（约翰福音3章16节），我们也已经心满意足了。但上帝的心意却不仅止于此，祂不光是差遣圣子救赎我们，而且还“叫我们得着儿子的名分”（加拉太书4章4-5节）。
使徒保罗称我们为上帝的“儿子”，因那时是由儿子继承父亲的财产。保罗要表达的是，如今凡相信耶稣的人（无论男女）都能成为上帝的“儿子”，享有平等而完整的继承权（7节）。
上帝不只要拯救你，祂更要得着你。祂要使你成为家中的一分子，还要将祂的名赐给你（启示录3章12节），且要自豪地称你为祂的孩子。没有人会比上帝更爱你，也没有任何比祂更尊贵的人会如此待你。上帝不只赐福给你，祂还让你成为祂的孩子。你的天父深爱着你。
天父，感谢祢拯救我，
这是何等殊荣，我竟能称祢为父！
你不仅蒙拯救，更大蒙眷爱。