«For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’ » (Romans 8:14, 15).
WHAT WONDERFUL THINGS do those who are led by the spirit experience according to today’s text? At least three things: we are God’s children, we no longer need to live in fear and we can call God «Father.»
Now, how can people who have lived according to «the carnal mind» and in «enmity against God» (see Romans 8: 7; James 4:4), receive such special treatment when they repent and confess that Christ is their Savior? The apostle Paul makes use of a familiar figure in the Roman Empire—adoption—to illustrate the new relationship between believers and God.
According to F. F. Bruceg writings, in the first century of the Christian era, an adoptive child had all the rights of a biological child, and «was deliberately chosen by his or her adoptive father to perpetuate his name and inherit his material possessions.” In other words, the adoptee became part of his new family, as a legitimate child.
Nevertheless, his rights and privileges did not end there. If the new family already had children, the adoptee became a join heir with them. Even more impressive was the fact that the former life of the adoptee was «erased. » If he had debts, for instance, they were pardoned. In the eyes of the law, a new life literally began.
What the apostle is telling us here is that when you and I accepted Christ, having been children of darkness, we became children of light; that is, our sinful past was erased, God became our Father, and we have the right to enjoy all the riches of Christ, «our older Brother.» Isn’t that wonderful?
Today the Spirit wants to remind you that, no matter how sinful your past life may have been, you are now part of Gods family. You belong to Him! Why then keep on living as orphans? On the other hand, why keep on feeding our fear of things we cannot control? Leave your life and what you love most in God’s hands and, with every right as His son, His daughter, say as Jesus did: Abba, Father!
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for reminding us that we are no longer servants.
Please help us to always live as what we are: children who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, members of God’s family.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Colaboradores: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
