D28guy said:
Accountable,
The encylopedia quote you are refering to specifically said the new testament word for adoption means we have been placed into a family as a son. It was not coming at it from a 2007 mindset.
Mike
I do not question your revelence. I question the way people are viewing the word and using it today.
As an adopted son, we recieve the firstborn rights. If we as believers become adopted, conditionaly, we are placed into the family as a son, a firstborn son. This changes nothing. Being born from above and adopted are two different things.
Question: Do you believe that ALL believers recieve the rewards of the first born right?
Example: We have two believers. Believer #1 lives a seperated life for the Lord. He serves Him with all of his might, suffers persecution, studies, and serves God to his greatest capability.
Believer two believes upon Christ, is now saved, lives for the Lord for a while then drifts away from fully serving Christ. He goes to church, tithes, etc. but doesn't give God 100%.
Are the two given equal rewards at the Judgement seat or can we see that #2 will recieve less and possibly suffer loss?
Believer 2 cannot recieve the firstborn rights for he has not earned them.