Haven't we?
This tells me that the Spirit is the proof of that very real adoption that God has enacted:
" For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15 )
In the same sense that believers have received the Spirit of promise ( Ephesians 1:13 ) and the "earnest" ( downpayment ) of our inheritance ( Ephesians 1:14 ), we have received the "earnest" of our adoption.
What's more is, I see Scripture proving that we as believers are
already the sons ( and daughters ) of God...
Not "will be":
" For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." ( Galatians 3:26 ).
Therefore, the adoption has already taken place, spiritually, has it not?
Now all that we as believers are waiting for, is our physical adoption... when our earthly bodies are glorified ( Romans 8:23 ).
George,
Do you see that there's more to the adoption than just Romans 8:23, the redemption of our bodies?