We’ve heard much recently encouraging us in our identity as children of God and Packer emphasizes how crucial it is that we really embrace the knowledge of God as our holy Father. This supernatural gift of grace through receiving Jesus; the blessing of foreordained adoption where, because of His great, supreme love, we’re born again, from death to life, given authority, right and privilege to share in the same glory given to God’s Son. The Son brought us Sonship! Now as part of a royal family, we are charged to show our family likeness, conformed and “chiseled into Christ’s image, being true to type.” I love how Packer highlights the Sermon on the Mount, giving us the royal family code to live by. “As royal children we need to undergo extra training in order to be fit for our high destiny.” I also love how Packer gives a list of identity guidelines, test indicators of assurance.

We fear we may miss God’s guidance, anxious because we aren’t certain of our receptiveness He offers; “there’s a twisting of our thoughts about God. ‘Let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to discern the will of God.’ The Spirit leads within the limits which the Word sets. We can have confidence in the God, Who for His own glory, will not let us ruin our souls.” Packer outlines 6 pitfalls, areas of unwillingness, that stop His guidance from getting through. And we pray, search us O God.

Iin chapters 19 and 20 of Knowing God, Packer highlights the privilege of adoption as God’s children and the assurance of His guidance. Adoption is more than justification—it grants intimacy with God as Father, access to His care, discipline, and inheritance. This identity reshapes our perspective, moving us from insecurity to confidence in His love. Packer also reminds us that God guides not through hidden signs, but through His Word, prayer, providence, and the Spirit. Guidance is less about discovering ‘secret plans’ and more about trusting His revealed will. As God’s children, we walk securely, loved and directed by Him and his word.

I love how the author points out that even if our earthly fathers have been non-existent or failed in many ways – that God does not leave us to guess what fatherhood looks like. That even if we didn’t experience a good father growing up – in God’s family that is not the case. We can find security and stability in His steadfast love for us. A love that never throws us away once we are His.

Adoption is such a gift. It makes total sense to me that adoption is the “highest privilege that the gospel offers”. I worked for an adoption agency for six years, and there is something so amazing and beautiful about adoption because it involves choice. The parents choose to make a child part of their family. Thinking about how in Ephesians it reminds us that God chose us in Him before the creation of the world. Boggles my mind. The author goes on to state “to be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater”.

I think it’s a very simple truth that no matter what kind of guidance you think you’ve received – if it is the opposite of what the bible says – it is not the right path to follow. God would never send us/guide us on a path that contradicts what is in His word. I also think that it is greatly important as a Christian to have at least one person you can ask advice from who is bold enough to speak the truth in love to you even if it is difficult. I’m glad that the author listed this as one of the pitfalls because I think it’s not talked about enough. One of the most encouraging things from this chapter for me is that if I still miss the mark on going down the right road – God is always good and will set me back on the right path. “Slippings and strayings will be, no doubt, but the everlasting arms are beneath us; we shall be caught, rescued, restored. This is God’s promise; this is how good He is.”

Wrapping my mind around election brought a surge in worship and awe of God’s ways. Adoption, although not new to me, has catapulted my freedom to thing in terms of sons hip, family and acceptance in bold but still cautious terms. Packer also uses the lyrics of my all time favorite hymn “And can it be”. I encourage you to listen to it and witness the depth of understanding expressed in that song.
Packet also is not shy about questioning the genuineness of conversion to Christ if these concept do not take hold of our hearts and minds. Truly How can it be that we/I should be called a son of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ my Lord and my brother. It is more wonderful than I can give words to but I can allow myself to believe and be transformed by the truth. Praise His Holy Name