Romans 8:15 “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!'”
For those of us who have not come from a choice family, which means we didn’t get to choose our parents, and our parents didn’t get to choose us. But to those that have been adopted, they have a different appreciation. They understand the sacrifice that person makes, and the love that person gave to them when they didn’t have to do it.
Born-again (Adoption)
Ezekiel 36:26 "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart."
The born-again experience takes away our old identity and gives us the identity of God. It takes you out of your old destructive life, old habits and old ways of living and brings you into a new place of living. In this new place we experience God’s protection, provision, peace, love, nourishing, wisdom, direction and so much more. He cares for us in such a way that we know that change has come to our lives. We are no longer in that place of bondage. This place of adoption brings us to the place of God that processes true freedom. We have joy because we found that place of peace and freedom in God's dwelling place. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Then look at what verse 29 says “I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Close your eyes and meditate on what Jesus is telling us! David would say, Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalms 34:8)
Paul cautioned the church to be careful not to return to the spirit of slavery (bondage). In Galatians 5:1 he wrote, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Our adoption is sealed, John 8:36 “So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.”
The word of God is telling us we have been set free from the works of sin and we should not return to it, but continue in the freedom, the new life through the spirit of adoption. The word continues to tell us to remember no more the former things. (Ephesians 4:22) We have to embrace our new life in Christ Jesus and learn how to walk in that newness. This is why the term to be born again means to be new creatures in Christ, and we must learn how to walk in this new adoption.
Some identify themselves with the old man when we come into the adoption through the spirit of God, and the word reminds us “old things are passed away, and behold, all things become new” (2 Corinthians 5:2.)
You can no longer live in your old house or environment. When you’ve been adopted, you have to move from the old mindset, your way of doing things, and be transformed by renewing of your mind. (Romans 8:2)
God as Father
The latter part of Romans 8:15 “whereby we cry, ‘Abba, Father!”
Through the spirit of adoption, we get to cry out, Abba, father! And he responds to our cry as a loving, caring parent. This is a privilege and an honor to be able to call God, father. Jesus invited believers to address God as father in Matthew 6:9. Pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." He is urging us to see God as our father.
Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 6:18 the Lord Himself makes this promise to us, “And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”
Can you imagine what it means that we are joint heir with Jesus Christ according to Romans 8:16. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ." Hallelujah glory to His name. How awesome is this?
This song by Anthony Brown reminds me of the sacrifice of our spiritual adoption:
You thought I was worth saving
So you came and changed my life
You thought I was worth keeping
So you cleaned me up inside
You thought I was to die for
So you sacrificed your life
So I could be free
So I could be whole
So I can tell everyone I know
You thought I was worth saving
Prayerfully, this has helped you see and know that we are children of the most high God. We can claim 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
And we are forever grateful. Leave me your thoughts, your comments, and your questions. I look forward to staying connected to you!
Loved this!