TUESDAY: SECURE IDENTITY FREES US TO SERVE
KEY PASSAGE
“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, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 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.”
DEVOTIONAL
As Christ followers we have been given a new identity in Christ—the position of sonship, but many of us are living as slaves. There are two things that the apostle Paul is contrasting in this passage that deals with identity. First, is the position of a slave who lives rooted in fear wondering if anything they do will ever be enough. The second position is that of a child (a son or a daughter) who lives rooted in the assurance of belonging and full acceptance. Many of us live in the posture of fear—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear that no matter what we do it will never be enough.
But, the Spirit of God that lives in each of us as a Christ follower is here to remind us today that you are a child of God! The gospel transforms our identity from slave to son or daughter. The Holy Spirit removes the fear of rejection and replaces it with the assurance of your position as His child. You are deeply and securely loved by God!
When we live from the secure position of “I am a child of God” we can begin to reflect His character in the way we live and serve others.
CHALLENGE
“Abba” is an intimate word for “Father” or “Daddy”. When you cry out to your Heavenly Father by saying “Abba” you are expressing the depth of your relationship with Him. It is communicating your dependence, closeness, and trust in Him.
Do you have that kind of relationship with God today? Are you living from a place of fear or from a place of full acceptance and belonging? Talk with Him today...start with “Abba”....