Father’s Day has many special family traditions. Cheesy Father’s Day cards, baseball games, and barbeque are key cornerstones of celebrating Dad. Father’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate all the important men in our lives—grandfathers, dads, brothers, uncles, and friends who love, support, and challenge us. Father’s Day is also an opportunity to reflect on our Heavenly Father.
In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8: 14-17).God adopted us as his beloved children. He sealed us with his Holy Spirit. We can approach him with confidence in his love. We can cry to him in pain and fear, and he will answer. It is easy to brush off God as our Father without considering the incredible repercussions of his declaration.
The Greek term for adoption to sonship refers to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. In this common practice, wealthy families formally adopted a fully grown man as their heir. The newfound son would receive their inheritance and carry on their lineage. This was an incredible honor and gift for the adoptee. This adoption transformed their life and future. They had a new name, a new fortune, and a new path. Of course, this adoption didn’t just mean wealth. Adoption to sonship includes carrying on the family line and all the difficulty that involves.
Most of us long to make our families proud. Our parents and grandparents sacrificed much to care for us. We want to achieve incredible goals to prove their sacrifices were “worth it.” Like the Roman adoptees, we are responsible for carrying on our Heavenly Father’s name and continuing his work, but God does not need us to achieve CEO or complete our Master’s Degree in order to carry on his namesake. God’s family has no “entrance fee.” Rather, as co-heirs with Christ, we share in both Christ’s sufferings and his glory. We suffer in the present, in order that we will participate in glory in the future (Romans 8:18).
Suffering with Christ does not just apply to religious martyrs. Each of us will inevitably suffer for doing the right thing. Choosing to love God and to love our neighbor even when it feels painful is the true legacy of Christ. This could mean forgoing the expensive vaction to go on the church mission trip. You might leave work on time so you don’t miss your daughter’s soccer game, despite losing favor with your boss. These sacrifices appear small on a global scale, but each one contributes to our enduring legacy here on earth.
As we celebrate Father’s Day, may we remember our Heavenly Father who gave up everything for us, that we might be adopted as his sons and daughters. And to all of the fathers, grandfathers, and uncles: Happy Father’s Day from Faith in Practice! We are grateful for your kindness, strength, wisdom, and service.
