How do we know that we are adopted as children of God?

The assurance of being adopted as children of God is deeply rooted in the believer's faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:16 says that the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. This internal confirmation from the Holy Spirit is a crucial aspect of the believer's experience, affirming our identity as God's children. Furthermore, Ephesians 1:5 affirms that believers are predestined for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. This means that our adoption is not based on our actions but on God's sovereign choice, and it is confirmed through our faith and the Spirit's witness.