May 7, 2019
Today’s Promise
I’m a Child, Not a Slave
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
We are continuing our look at five promises found in Romans 8.
You can live the Christian life one of two ways. You can live like a slave, or like an adopted child.
When you live like a slave, you always live in fear. Slaves fear their masters. During the New Testament days, slaves were treated like a commodity, not a person. A slave was in fear of being beaten or even put to death any time they were around their master.
So many Christians see God as the grand taskmaster. They believe God is ready to judge and punish them for their slightest failure. They feel you must work hard for God, and do your best to please Him or experience His wrath. They feel they must “work out” their salvation. When they pray, they feel condemned and guilty before Him.
This promise says you don’t have to live as slaves full of guilt and fear. You can live as adopted sons and daughters of God.
Here are four things you know when you live as an adopted child of God.
1. You understand God chose you and brought you into His family. You can’t earn your salvation; it is a gift from God. You aren’t worthy of His love. You just accept His love by faith.
2. As an adopted child of God, you live without fear. When God is your Father, how could possibly be afraid? You don’t fear God because He is your loving Father.
3. You have an intimate relationship with God. He is not the “high and lifted up” King of glory to you; He is your Father. The word “Abba” used in this verse is a very intimate term. It is like calling God your daddy, or papa.
4. You desire to please God, not in fear of punishment, but because of your relationship with Him. You want to make Him proud. You want to live in such a way that your Father is pleased with you.
Look at this promise again.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” – Romans 8:15
Confess this with me.
In Jesus Christ, I am a child of God.
I am adopted into God’s family as His child.
I don’t live in fear because God is my Father.
I have received a spirit of adoption.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
There are two ways to live the Christian life, as a slave or as an adopted child. I hope you will claim this promise today and live as a child of God.
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Are you living as a slave or an adopted child of God? Let me know below.
Praise God I’m a child of the king!