Intro: Today's devotion looks at a passage from Paul's letter to the Romans. An introduction to being children of God.
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Observation:
- Each verse repeats and reinforces that I am a child of God. This promise is not for me alone, but for anyone led by God's Spirit.
- In verse 14 Paul says that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. I think that "led by the Spirit" means that I first ask God what His plan is for me and then seek that plan, His will. Being led by His Spirit doesn’t mean that I go and do what I want and then ask Him to bless my endeavor.
- In verse 15, Paul says that we have received a spirit of adoption as sons. And sons cry out "Abba! Father!". Abba is frequently translated as a "familiar" name, what children call their father. In western circles, we frequently call our fathers "dad", "daddy" or "papa". Thinking of God as not only a "daddy" but my "daddy" melts away years of my thinking of Him as a vengeful and Zeus-like figure, sitting on His throne and casting lightning bolts at those who offend Him.
- In verse 16, Paul says that if we're Spirit-led, the His Spirit (the one leading us) will testify along with us that we are God's child. Wow! God gives us His Spirit, who in turn, will agree with our spirit, that we are a child of God. At first, this seems circular, but when you stop to realize the level of support that we have to call God daddy, we should have no excuse for not running to him for any reason.
- Verse 17 concludes by showing that if we are children of God, and Jesus is the son of God (also a "child") then we are siblings of Jesus. Jesus inherits all of the promises of the Father, then we are also heirs in the promise.
- In addition to being a child of God is the promise that God does not give me a spirit of slavery or fear. Everything that I'm afraid of, and fear, is not of God. God loves me, for the bible tells me so.
Application:
This is mind-changing stuff. In a later passage from Romans, Paul says that we should not mold ourselves to worldly patterns, but renew ourselves by renewing our minds. (Romans 12:2). If I love God and seek Him, he fills me with His Spirit. A Spirit of love, not fear. A Spirit that says "I am a loved child". A Spirit that supports me and encourages me. If I truly believe these promises in my heart (and in my head) my mind, or in the Greek - my soul, will be changed.
I need to spend time listening to the guidance of His Spirit. I need to constantly reinforce that I am His child, loved. I need to always walk with an attitude that I am loved. He, the God of the Universe who created me, loves me.
Prayer:
Papa,You are awesome that you love me. You love me even when I am unlovable. You send me Your Spirit to guide and comfort me and agree with our spirits that we are Your children. Papa, don't let me ever forget that You love me. Let me always live as your child. Let me share this good news with others, so that they may experience You as a loving, loving, Father.Amen.
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