435. What Does Adoption by God Involve?
"And I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2Co_6:18). Such adoption is according to promise, by God's grace, through Christ, and we take it by faith (Gal_3:7, Gal_3:26; Rom_9:8; Eze_16:3-6; Rom_4:16-17; Joh_1:12). Saints are predestinated unto adoption and are gathered together in one by Christ (Rom_8:29; Joh_11:52), whereupon they become his brethren (Joh_20:17). Our new birth is connected with our adoption, the Holy Spirit is a witness of it, and by leading us gives us evidence of it (Joh_1:12-13; Rom_8:15-16; Rom_8:14). This adoption should lead to holiness and should work in us likeness to God and childlike confidence in God (Mat_5:44-45, Mat_5:48; Mat_6:25-34) ; a desire for God's glory, love of peace, spirit of prayer, forgiveness and mercy (Mat_5:16, Mat_7:7-11, Mat_5:9, Mat_6:14; Luk_6:35-36).
Source: 555 Difficult Bible Questions Answered