Proper 10: Epistle, Romans 8:12-17

Every time I look at our two sons, although they are fine men with children of their own, I still marvel that they belong to us. Under our Heavenly Father and theirs we have been given the most special of relationships with these guys. They’re ours. Still. We made them. Wondrous.

The Apostle Paul in helping the first Roman Christians to understand their relationship to the true God instructed them that by God’s very Spirit, they had been brought into His family as adopted sons and daughters. Now as I wrote, there is nothing like looking at our sons and knowing they are ours. But we are not naturally children of God. God adopts us, gives us His name and calls us His own for eternity through a birth that comes from that same “Spirit of adoption.”

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ (Romans 8:14-15). From slaves to sons. All by the work of the Holy Spirit. Romans chapter eight is full of encouragement for all Christians but the truth of our adoption by God to His care and nurture, His provision and protection, is truth that goes beyond encouragement to exaltation. “Abba, Father,” we cry. And that by His choice.

Lonely today? Feeling less than important or that perhaps life has passed you by. Remember this, that those who are led by the Spirit of God belong to Him, through the suffering, death and resurrection of His Only-begotten Son. “I believe in God, the Father Almighty.” He’s made me His child. Amen!