So it’s clear that we are sons of God in one sense, but we are to become sons of God in another sense.”
Paul was talking about the present in some of the scripture but he was talking about future in others, for instance.
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
The above had not happened yet, it was future, they were not yet glorified.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
They were still waiting for the final adoption.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
This is past tense, it had already happened at the time of Pauls writing.
Yes
Your Citation of Rom. 8:17: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.The above had not happened yet, it was future, they were not yet glorified.
Well, you cite 8:17 but leave out 8:15-17a...it's all one paragraph, really
15: "rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
This is recent past tense.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
This is present tense.
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
This is present tense
17 Now if we are children,
This is present tense
then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
This is both present and future tense: An heir apparent is still an heir, even if all he has received is a "down payment" on that ... and the NT talks about the Holy Spirit being our down payment.
Most of Rom. 8:15-17 is present tense...with v. 15 even being (recent) past tense.
So in v. 15...already adopted...v. 15 we don't have to wait to cry "Daddy"...v. 16..."we ARE children"...v. 17 "if we ARE children"...and then the rest of v. 17 talks about a future reception of what heirs receive in glory
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. - They were still waiting for the final adoption.
Yes, and Paul is specific about what aspect of this adoption awaits fruition...a bodily placement... (as in a bodily placement into those "many rooms" Jesus talked about in John 14)
The parallel I would give you here is if you and your spouse adopted a child from Asia or Africa. The adoption process is well COMPLETED before the child ever leaves Asia or Africa. That child IS yours.
But say you were with that child in Africa, but couldn't make it home for any # of reasons: Bad weather; or civil war in Central Africa; or some other crisis kept you from temporarily bringing that child bodily home. You are ALREADY with that child...just on different turf. That child has ALREADY been adopted. The "becoming your child" paperwork is done; the custody transfer has ALREADY occurred. All that's waiting is that child to bodily come home to the room set aside for him/her.