[SERay]

Greetings Christopher,

I do find the word "brethren" or a common interpretation "brothers" the key word here. The Greek word adephos would imply "family" or "from the womb" not meaning the same as being equal to Jesus.

Hebrews 2:11 captures the depth of our kinship by explaining that the one who makes us right with the Father, Jesus, and the ones being made right through him are all one, as family or brethren. Again, not equal, but family.

We become heirs of eternal life. In as much as Christ was raised from the dead, He was an example of what each genuine Christian can expect for ourselves if we continue in Him. Our life is like scaffolding that is erected during our short physical dwelling. When it falls away, only that which remains will survive.

The scriptures teach that we are grafted in as wild (foreign) branches to the vine. Not being of the vine by nature, but by means of the expert gardener, successfully attached to receive life from the vine as to now be part of the whole. John 15:5 quotes Jesus "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

When we place our faith in Christ, who died for our sin, we inherit all of the blessings that were the privileged possession of the Son. We are adopted as God’s sons and daughters and made heirs. Ephesians 1:1-14 is a great study regarding our inheritance in Christ.

First, we were chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Before we were ever born, and with His full knowledge that we’d rebel against Him, He determined to make us family as to dwell in the court of the holy, no matter what it would cost Him.

Second, He predestined us to be adopted into His family. We are His sons and daughters. When I was adopted, I become part of a new family I would not have known otherwise. Everything of the adopted family became equally shared as if I had been an original part. The same sort of transaction happens when we trust Christ. But sometimes we can forget that we have the rights of sons and daughters and instead perceive ourselves as orphans. We have incredible riches in Christ, but we sometimes act as street urchins begging for bread.

This adoption speaks not only of privilege but also of the security of our salvation. While there are many things we can do to hinder our fellowship with God, we cannot change our relationship. We will always be His children or "brethren" by virtue of our adoption into His family.