Romans 8:15-16: “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.”
Have you ever thought about or realized the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? Paul now introduces to his readers in Rome, the purpose of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8. In Romans 1-7, he only refers to the Holy Spirit three times. But in chapter 8, he refers to the third person of the Trinity, twenty times. Paul states in verse 6 that “the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.” Then in verse 9 and 10, Paul states the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in us and therefore, “the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
The instant we accept Christ as our Savior, He adopts us and gives us the position of an adult son or daughter. We then have the Holy Spirit in us, leading and guiding us by God’s Word day by day empowering us to live in the will of God. We have a new standing, a new position in belonging to the family of God from the instant of our conversion onward. We may not always feel we belong, but the Holy Spirit’s inward presence in our heart reminds us of who we are. He is our comforter and encourager (Rom. 5:5) who pours out God’s love into our hearts. We never have to feel insecure because Christ is right there, never leaving us.
The term “Abba father” was an Aramaic term of endearment and intimacy, used by young children to speak to their fathers. “Daddy” or “Papa” would be our equivalent term. Paul used it in Romans 8:15 and in Galatians 4:6: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” It denotes unusual tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of anxiety or fear.
What fears in this life have enslaved you during your lifetime? We all have them but have to fight against giving into them. Paul also states in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” The Greek word deilia is used here and means one who flees from battle and refers to being cowardice. Timothy is saying that does not depict a Christ follower because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.
Since we have the Holy Spirit within us, and Christ has chosen us to be His adopted son and daughter to be in His family, why don’t we, why don’t I, live adventurously expectant to whatever comes next in my life? I happen to be one of those people that hate change. I prefer the status quo – that is where I am most comfortable.
The MSG states Romans 8:15-16 this way:
“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us – an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through.”
What chains of fear(s) have crept into your life during the past two weeks? What was the outcome?
How has the Holy Spirit led you recently in making decisions through God’s Word clarifying in your mind what God’s will is? How has your faith been tested? How has He then reassured you that you are indeed adopted into God’s family?
I often struggle with feelings of insecurity. I often feel ill-equipped, not smart enough, not savvy enough, and that in my expectations, or someone else’s, I will be let down or I will let someone else down. So I have to remind myself of Paul’s words in Romans 8:15 – God has not given His children the spirit of fear – that never comes from Him. I, too, have to reboot my mind to take hold of the promises of God and to take action on the truth found in God’s Word, leading my life day by day, so I can also say: “OK, now what’s next Papa?”
Listen to Stand In Your Love by Josh Baldwin, YouTube. Listen to the lyrics.