Day 2: From Slave to Child
Reading: Romans 8:12-17
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 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.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 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 co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Footnotes
[a] Romans 8:15 - The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
[b]Romans 8:15 - Aramaic for father
Devotional:
"I'm no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God." This declaration transforms how we approach our life mission. Fear paralyzes; sonship empowers. When we truly grasp our identity as God's children, we stop living from a place of obligation and start living from belonging. The early believers faced imprisonment and death, yet they boldly shared their faith because they knew whose they were.
What fears keep you from sharing your story? Fear of rejection? Fear of not knowing enough? God hasn't given you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind. Your identity as His beloved child gives you confidence to be His messenger, imperfect but willing.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 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.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 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 co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Footnotes
[a] Romans 8:15 - The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
[b]Romans 8:15 - Aramaic for father
Devotional:
"I'm no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God." This declaration transforms how we approach our life mission. Fear paralyzes; sonship empowers. When we truly grasp our identity as God's children, we stop living from a place of obligation and start living from belonging. The early believers faced imprisonment and death, yet they boldly shared their faith because they knew whose they were.
What fears keep you from sharing your story? Fear of rejection? Fear of not knowing enough? God hasn't given you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind. Your identity as His beloved child gives you confidence to be His messenger, imperfect but willing.
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