Paul
the apostle told the people in Rome,
“as
many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”,
and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of Romans,
Paul told his readers, “you
have not received the spirit of bondage to fear” where
we read:
For
you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but
you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.
The
verse begins, “For
you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;” Paul
began with the word, “for”
which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and
therefore” “you
have not received”
or “Paul's believing readers did not take hold of, carry away,
claim or procure” “the
spirit”
which means “the simple essence, devoid of all or at least all
grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring,
deciding, and acting” “of
bondage”
which means “pertaining to slavery and the condition of a slave”
“again”
or “anew, further, with renewal and moreover” “to
fear”
which means “toward dread, terror and alarm”. Paul shared how
believers in Jesus Christ no longer have need of “fear
and
dread” before God.
The
verse continues, “but
you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.” Paul
continued with the word, “but”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “you
have received”
or “Paul's believing readers take hold of, carry away, claim or
procure” “the
Spirit”
which refers to “the third person of the triune God who is the Holy
Spirit, coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “of
adoption”
which means “the nature and condition of the true disciples in
Christ who by receiving the Spirit of God into their souls become
sons of God ”, “whereby”
or “with which” “we
cry”
which means “Paul, his companions and his believing readers
vociferate, pray and speak with a loud voice”, “Abba”
or “father or daddy” “Father”
which refers to “the originator, transmitter and creator”. Paul
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how the relationship of
the “believer in Jesus” brings that person into the “family”
of God. No longer are they as a “slave” to “fear and
dread” before God, but are able to openly call Him “daddy”.
This intimacy with God was provided through God's Son Jesus Christ
living the perfect life, dying on the cross for the world's “sin”
and being raised from the dead three days later. Now all that is
necessary to be “adopted” into the family of God is to
believe and trust in Jesus Christ and His “finished” work which
provides access to Him. Let all who read these words know their
“adoption” into the family of God awaits, and no matter
how wicked or evil they have been, God is ready to received and make
them as His “children”.
Next
time Paul writes to his readers how, “the
Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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