Today’s Reading:
Romans 8:14-17, 24-26 (15)
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abbas Father."
(v. 15 NIV)
God is the Father of us all, in that he created us all in his image, after his likeness; and his love and Providential care are extended to us all (Mat.5:45). But because of our sinful nature, we were alienated, separated from him. Now we have been reconciled to him and adopted by faith, through the grace of our Lord Jesus. But not all of us chose to be God's children by adoption (Jn. 1:12-13; 8:44). The control of the Holy Spirit is the hallmark of this reconciled relationship (v.14). As believers, we do not rely on the subjective, mental impressions or promptings of our mind for directions to make crucial life's decisions. The Holy Spirit leads us at times, by orchestrated circumstances (Acts16:7), mostly by illumination or divine clarification from the scriptures on our sinful and infinite minds (Lk.24:44' 45; 1Corin.2:14-16). Also, by sanctifying our hearts to obey the scriptures (Gal.5:16-17; 5:25). In this way, we are assured that we are adopted children of God (1John).
In the Greco-Roman era, adopted children had all the privileges of a natural son, including inheritance rights. Jesus Christ is God's Son by nature, but believers are, by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We share in his inheritance of the Father equally with Christ, thank you Father.
The Spirit leads and empowers us to live lives pleasing to God and also replaces the spirit of fear with the spirit of liberty of children of God. In holiness and confidence, we are to approach God as one with legitimate adoption status. It is those that are sinful and unregenerate that are slaves to the fears of death and final damnation (Heb. 2:14-15; 1Jn.4:18).
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
Abba, Father! thank you for your Holy Spirit; draw near to me and I to you, in Jesus name.
I barricade my body from every invasion by disease germs by the power in the blood of Jesus.
I believe that Jesus Christ came in flesh, laid down his life and shed his blood. Blood of Jesus laminate my life, in Jesus name.
Abba Father, uproot everything you have not planted in your church and revive your Pentecostal fire and power in Jesus name
Abbas Father, thank you for sustaining Nigeria with your power and fire. Give our leaders fresh vision, wisdom, inspiration, revelation and direction to move the nation to the next level. Let there be love, peace and harmony of purpose, in Jesus name. Amen.
Comments