“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
As believers, we are called to walk in the freedom that comes from being adopted into God’s family—freedom from fear, from shame, and from the chains that once held us captive. This verse is a profound reminder of the identity and inheritance we have as children of God!
In a world that often thrives on fear and anxiety, Paul’s words are a breath of fresh air. He begins by reminding us that we have not received a spirit of bondage—a spirit that brings fear and keeps us in chains. When we walk in fear, we are still bound by the very things that Christ came to set us free from. Fear can keep us paralyzed, uncertain, and distant from God’s calling!
But, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are given a new spirit—the Spirit of adoption! This Spirit doesn’t bring fear, but rather, it brings the assurance that we belong to God. This is not just any adoption; this is a deep, intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe. The God who spoke the world into existence is the same God who calls us His children!
Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to approach God in the same way a child runs to their loving parent. God is not distant or far-off. He is near. He is tender. And He is deeply invested in our lives. The phrase “Abba, Father” speaks to the relational nature of our connection with God. It’s a reminder that we don’t just serve a God who is almighty and powerful, but also a God who cares for us in the most personal and intimate way.
When we understand the freedom that comes from being adopted into God’s family, our perspective on life changes. No longer do we have to live in fear of condemnation or shame. No longer do we have to measure up to the world’s standards of success and acceptance. In Christ, we are fully accepted, fully loved, and fully secure in our identity as His children.
Living in this freedom means that we no longer allow the fear of rejection or failure to hold us back. Instead, we step boldly into the calling God has placed on our lives, knowing that we are fully equipped by the Holy Spirit to walk in confidence. We are no longer slaves to fear, because the Spirit within us testifies that we are children of the King!
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