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Received as God's Children
Justification answers the charge against a guilty sinner. Adoption tells you that the Judge has also taken you into his family.
God doesn't merely cancel a believer's debt and send him away. He receives him into the number of his children and gives him the privileges of that household (WCF 12.1 (opens in a new tab)). John writes that those who receive Christ are given power to become the sons of God (John 1:12-13 (opens in a new tab)). This privilege is founded on Christ, the eternal Son, and given through him.
Adoption is not a reward for obedience. A believer doesn't become a son by proving he can behave like one. God first receives him in Christ, and then teaches him to walk as a child of his Father.
What Does Adoption Give Us?
The Confession speaks of God's name being put upon his children, the Spirit of adoption, access to the throne of grace, the right to cry Abba, Father, and the promise of an everlasting inheritance (WCF 12.1 (opens in a new tab)). Read Romans 8:15-17 (opens in a new tab) alongside it. The Spirit testifies that those in Christ are God's children and heirs with him.
You may bring your needs to the Father without pretending to be stronger than you are. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9 (opens in a new tab)). That privilege belongs to Christ's people because of their Mediator. It isn't a claim that God overlooks sin or owes us whatever we ask.
A child of God can be poor, sick, lonely, or outwardly forgotten. Adoption isn't a guarantee of comfortable circumstances. It is the promise of a Father who will never disown those whom he has received in his Son.
Why Does a Father Discipline His Children?
Hebrews 12:5-11 (opens in a new tab) calls believers to endure the Father's chastening. He does not discipline because Christ's sacrifice was insufficient. The punishment that condemned us has been borne by our substitute. His correction now serves our holiness.
That does not mean every grief is punishment for a particular sin. Job's friends reasoned that way and were rebuked. When you know you've sinned, repent and return. When you don't know why you suffer, don't invent a hidden crime merely to explain it.
Westminster Confession 11.5 says justified believers may fall under God's fatherly displeasure and lose the light of his countenance until they humble themselves and renew their repentance. That loss of comfort isn't the loss of their standing in Christ. For more on this, read When God Feels Far.
When You Don't Feel Like His Child
Feelings can change in a few hours. The Father's promise doesn't. But you mustn't base assurance merely on saying that you're adopted. The Word calls us to believe Christ and to examine the fruit of faith without turning that fruit into the price of salvation (2 Corinthians 13:5 (opens in a new tab) and WCF 18.2 (opens in a new tab)).
If you've never trusted Christ, come to him now. If you're troubled by doubt, bring your fear to him in prayer and tell your elders. Don't hide from the public worship of the church. The Lord ordinarily strengthens his children through his Word and sacraments.
Christ is the Son by nature. Believers are sons and daughters by grace. That distinction makes adoption a greater mercy than we can measure.