What does it mean to be adopted as children of God?

Scripture reveals that God adopts believers into His family according to His divine will (Ephesians 1:5). This adoption is not based on human effort or deserving but is a result of God's eternal love and sovereign choice. As God has chosen to embrace believers as His own, they gain rights and privileges as His children, receiving the assurance of His care and the promise of eternal life. In Romans 8:15, we see that believers receive the Spirit of adoption, which enables them to cry out, 'Abba, Father.' This relationship contrasts with a mere status of creation, emphasizing intimacy, belonging, and security within God's family.