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!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:14-17
Imagine. A great multitude of former Hebrew slaves wandering through the wilderness after their great Exodus from Egypt. They have been given the promise of their inheritance, but yet they cannot enter in. The wilderness is harsh and rugged. Undoubtedly there are those that are discouraged. Yet, the pillar of cloud that leads them by day and the pillar of fire that leads them by night reminds them of one thing…they are God’s chosen possession. God himself set them free and now he is going to lead them through the wilderness into the Promised Land.
Once they were slaves…now they are his sons and daughters.
Our passage today reminds us of our great Exodus from slavery to sin. Paul reminds the Romans and us of God the Father who sent God the Son to enter history and redeem us from slavery to the powers of darkness through his death and resurrection. We are reminded today, that God the Holy Spirit is leading us, “tabernacling” inside our hearts, and is reminding us throughout the dry and arid moments of our lives that we are no longer slaves…we are his daughters and sons.
Our inheritance awaits us too…a New Heavens and a New Earth.
The Mission of God is to redeem the world from slavery, adopt them as his sons and daughters through the sacrifice of God the Son, and lead them to their promised land by the power of God the Holy Spirit.
The Mission and the Message of the Church is one of adoption. All can be part of God’s family. All can be free. Everyone is invited to have the Spirit living inside of them, guiding them through the wilderness and into their Inheritance.
Wherever you are today, thank God for your adoption. It is the work of a Triune God who has rescued you, has redeemed you, and now is leading you through your wilderness to your awaiting inheritance. I believe he will use you to invite others along for the journey!
Heavenly Father, we thank you today for our adoption through Christ, your Son, and the power of your Holy Spirit. We thank you that we have been redeemed from our slavery to Sin and are now striving through the wilderness to our awaiting inheritance. Help us today to follow your Spirit through this rough terrain and help us to join in your mission to invite others along for this great pilgrimage. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Read with me today:
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
I'm just a new Global Worker striving to live for One More in Asia! I am trying to be a better disciple, learner, reader, researcher, and writer.