What is the adoption believers are waiting for?
The adoption believers are waiting for is the redemption of the body. While the soul and spirit are already redeemed, the physical body still awaits its future transformation, when this corruptible body becomes incorruptible at the Lord’s coming, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15.
Les explains that believers already have the firstfruits of the Spirit and the redemption of the soul and spirit, but they still groan inwardly waiting for the adoption—the redemption of the body. The body, which Paul calls corruptible in 1 Corinthians 15, will suddenly become incorruptible when believers go up into the presence of the Lord, receive their reward, and prepare to return as active participants in the kingdom. He also notes that believers are already members of the kingdom, which is in heaven and will one day come to earth, and they are made partakers of the inheritance.