Introduction
     When we think of who the children of Yahweh are, we may consider ourselves as they, having been redeemed from the world. Indeed, we were purchased with the price of Yahshua’s innocent blood; grafted into the family of Yahweh through His Son, Yahshua; sealed by the Holy Spirit; and become co-heirs with the Son of Yahweh to physical and spiritual promises. But others are also being called to become sons and daughters of the Most High – an exceedingly great opportunity which is not well understood or appreciated by most people today.

Many Sons of the Father
     Others past, are denoted as sons of Yahweh. In 1 Chronicles 28:5-7, King David acknowledges his son Solomon, and his successor to the throne, as a son of the Father.
    Of all my sons (for Yahweh has given me many sons), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of Yahweh over Israel. He said to me, “Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him. I will establish his kingdom forever if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances, as is done now,” 1 Chronicles 28:5-7. (The New American Standard Bible (1995) is used throughout.)
    Though a son, Solomon didn’t obey the commandments and ordinances of Yahweh very well. Like his father before him, and contrary to the commandments of Yahweh (Deut. 17:16-17), he multiplied wives and strengthened his military might. Consequently, his pride and worship of the false deities of his many foreign wives turned his heart from Yahweh (1 Kings 11:1-13).
    Of course, his disobedience and the recompense of his error serve as a warning to us not to follow his example. While we are as he, multiplying to ourselves horses and wives, the idolatries we indulge can turn our hearts away from serving Yahweh as we should.
    As sons, we are saints, distinguished from the world as they who have faith in the Messiah (Rev. 14:12) and who as commandment-keepers, are figuratively, chaste virgins (Rev. 14:4) … and first fruits, redeemed from among men, representing purity and free of every false way (Psa. 119:104).

Israel, Firstborn Son
     This people called Israel, Yahweh considered His firstborn. Moses was told before the commencement of the ten plagues, to go to Pharaoh, and to declare to him,
    Thus says Yahweh, “Israel is My son, My firstborn,” Exodus 4:22.
    The evangelist Matthew records Joseph taking his family to Egypt in order to flee Herod’s fury. There, he remained, until the monarch’s death, then returned to Nazareth – fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Hosea: When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son, Hosea 11:1. We understand, moreover, from the subsequent context of Hosea’s discourse in chapter 11, that he was also addressing Israel’s departure from Egypt and the oppression they suffered under Pharoah’s taskmasters.
    Henceforth, Israel’s history was marked by continued backsliding and false worship which ultimately led to their divorce and disinheritance from Yahweh. First, this breach of covenant occurred with the ten northern tribes (Ephraim) who were removed and severally exiled among the provinces of Assyria. One hundred-fifty years later, the southern kingdom of Judah followed the idolatries (adultery) of her treacherous sister Israel (Jer. 3:1-10) committing evil in the sight of Yahweh. Judah, however, during the duration of its 70-year exile, was not assimilated among other peoples, probably owing to the prophesied Messiah proceeding through them.

Adoption: The Process of Grafting
     I am telling the truth in Messiah, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Messiah for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, who is over all, Elohim blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the word of Elohim has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants, Romans 9:1-8.
    Adoption occurs through this process of grafting, Israel restored as sons and as parties to the covenants of promise through the Messiah. Paul clearly states that Yahweh is permitting the recovery of those who were once rejected by Him because of their sins and deems this restorative work as a mystery revealing how Yahweh purposes to fulfill His promise to graft them in, “if they do not continue in their unbelief” (Rom. 11:23). Indeed, is He not unmindful of a people come from Abraham’s loins – people destined, through Isaac and Jacob, to become the children of Yahweh.
    “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares Yahweh, Jeremiah 31:20.
    But a people becoming Yahweh’s children, a spiritual people through the Messiah, is contingent upon them qualifying and proving themselves worthy, by overcoming all that is in the world: the lusts of the eyes and of the flesh and the pride of life (John 16:24; 1 John 2:16). (Read our Mini Study called The Hope of Israel.)

Predestined Before Birth
     In a recent Bible study, we considered the idea of predestination as presented in Romans 8:28-31, in which the Apostle Paul says,
    And we know that Elohim causes all things to work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If Elohim is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:28-31. (emphasis, ours)
    Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Yahshua Messiah to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him, Ephesians 1:3-9.
    We understand that becoming saved requires first being called by the Father through His Spirit. Yahshua often said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” How does one hear unless first granted that privilege? Yahweh took away that privilege in times past by allowing blindness and deafness to occur. But for some, spiritual blindness and deafness are being lifted now.
    This process of being foreknown, called, predestined, justified, conformed into the image of Yahweh’s Dear Son, Yahshua, and then glorified is Yahweh’s ultimate will for those who are redeemed. But this does not mean they cannot be disqualified. After all, if the first requirement of being called is not met, then becoming conformed in the image of His Son is a doubtful outcome.

Respecting Our Father
     We respect our earthly fathers as children, and when that respect is disregarded through disobedience, we face discipline. Similarly, this is the relationship we have with our heavenly Father (Deut. 8:5). We read of this dynamic occurring in ancient Israel’s relationship with Yahweh. The standards of obedience by which they were identified as Yahweh’s children have not been changed for us. We, perhaps, must show even greater respect, as the Law has been magnified through Messiah Yahshua. We walk on higher ground, so to speak, to meet the higher spiritual qualifications of obedience from the heart, which Yahweh had desired from His people.
    Indeed, Yahweh’s Spirit will accomplish His will, but the exercise of our free will can disqualify us from receiving the reward of eternal life. As the Messiah said, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF ELOHIM” (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3).
    Therefore, prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does, James 1:22–25.
    For there is no partiality with Elohim. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before Elohim, but the doers of the Law will be justified, Romans 2:11-13.
    Messiah always did His Father’s will and taught others to do the same:
    And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE YAHWEH YOUR ELOHIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE,” Luke 10:25-28.
    Notice that Yahshua’s reply, “What is written in the Law?” addressed the query concerning not just life, but eternal life and implied that obedience or disobedience to the commandment to love Yahweh and one’s neighbor as himself produced either a positive (eternal life) or a negative (judgment) outcome.
    Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of Elohim, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul, Hebrews 10:35-39.

Walking in The Spirit
     In overcoming this world, we need to be able to submit to the Father through the Son, and the common denominator between them is the Spirit of Yahweh. The Messiah has said plainly that His Father is looking for those who will walk in spirit and in truth. Without question, He is referring to the Father’s Spirit and to His Truth.
    But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth, John 4:23-24.
    The Law of Yahweh is spiritual (Rom. 7:14) and His Word, Truth (John 17:17), because the Law and His Word were inspired by His Spirit (Neh. 9:20).
    The Apostle Paul speaks for all humanity. He acknowledged a struggle within himself, saying flesh was waging war against the Spirit.
    I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the Law of Elohim in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to Elohim through Yahshua Messiah our Master! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the Law of Elohim, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin, Romans 7:21-25.
    Paul had a portion of Yahweh’s Spirit, and he was sensitive to It. Otherwise, he could not have recognized the nature of the conflict that warred within him.
    As we set our minds on heavenly things, the Spirit of Yahweh is at work within us, helping us overcome our flesh, and conforming us into the sinless image of the Son. This work is begun at baptism, in burying the old person and being raised out of the water to walk in newness of life.
    From henceforth, all who are being led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are sons of Elohim. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of Elohim, and if children, heirs also, heirs of Elohim and fellow heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him, Romans 8:14–17.
    We are warned, therefore, not to quench the Spirit we have received as a down payment, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of what’s been purchased (Eph. 1:14). We can, in fact, rejoice.
    Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is Elohim’s will for you in Messiah Yahshua. Do not quench the Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19.
    How does one not quench the Spirit of Yahweh? Abstain from every form of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:22. The Spirit is stronger than our flesh, and we can abstain from every form of evil because we have been granted the Power from on high to do so. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). We just need to remember that evil is the opposite of what is good, right, and true, according to Yahweh’s Word. and that Messiah Who was perfect and never sinned, is the living, breathing example for us to follow.
    But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF YAHWEH, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Messiah, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
    Those that have the mind of Messiah are walking in the Spirit as He walked.
    That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of Elohim has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of Elohim, by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as Elohim in Messiah also has forgiven you, Ephesians 4:22-32.

Grieving Yahweh?
     Grieving the Spirit is the same as grieving Yahweh. Since evil is the opposite of Who Yahweh is, to continue in sin grieves Him. Read our Mini Studies, Why Grace Leads to Obedience? And, Why Biblical Law?
    In Noah’s day, as in our day,
    Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Yahweh was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart, Genesis 6:5-6.
    The heart is seen as the core of our being. Yahweh was deeply affected by His creation walking contrary to, and at enmity against, His way of life. Evil impacts Him, and we must not forget this lest we be forgotten and cast aside as they were.
    Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of Elohim, and the earth was filled with violence. Elohim looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then Elohim said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth,” Genesis 6:11-13.
    In a sense, Yahweh adopted Noah and his family to continue replenishing the earth. But throughout millennia, mankind has continued to corrupt their way upon the earth.
    And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed, Luke 17:26-30.
    “… Fire and brimstone …” – the result of men grieving Yahweh. Thankfully, Yahweh is a just Judge. “The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity” (Ezek. 18:20).
    It is further said in Luke, and elsewhere in other parables, that some will be taken and others will be left (Luke 17:31-36). This is the result of the righteous living at the end of the age, they will not be removed. However, they will also not outnumber the evildoers.

Set Apart
     Experiencing the adoption process is akin to being set apart for a special purpose. It is the will of a loving Father that we comprehend the care He bestows upon us.
    See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of Elohim; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of Elohim, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is, 1 John 3:1-2.
    Our purpose now is to grow and to become conformed to the image of the Son (Rom. 8:29), actively participating in the Family … with each member, having the same mindset and goals. Ultimately, we look forward to when He returns to the earth, and our transformation becomes entirely spiritual as He is now, a Spirit Being.
    Therefore be imitators of Elohim, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Elohim as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints, Ephesians 5:1-3.
    Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Messiah, 1 Peter 1:13-19.
    Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim; just as Elohim said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR ELOHIM, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says Yahweh. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says Yahweh El Shaddai, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Conclusion
     The adoption into the Family of Yahweh is the greatest gift ever offered humanity. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10).
    For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things, and through Whom are all things, in bringing many sons [and daughters] to glory, to perfect the Author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He Who sanctifies [set apart] and those who are sanctified [set apart] are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM YAHWEH HAS GIVEN ME,” Hebrews 2:10–13.