Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, in our God’s Vision for the church series, we’ve been reflecting of how the church is God’s family and today we see that those who are God’s children are promised ‘the Spirit of adoption’.
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‘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.’ (Romans 8:15-17)
In 1969, singer-songwriter Jim Croce was an unsuccessful singer-songwriter. One night, after a long day of working on a construction site, he picked up his guitar and began writing a song. That song, ‘Time in a Bottle’, was a heartfelt expression of his love for Ingrid, his wife. Tragically, just two years later, Croce died in a plane crash at the age of 30. ‘Time in a Bottle’ was released posthumously and became one of his greatest hits, forever capturing the deep emotions he felt for his wife. Humans have a deep desire to express their love and tell others of what they love and today, I want us to see that Our Father, in whose image we are created, sings His love over us as His children.
i. We’ve not received the spirit of a slave
We are told that ‘The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again…’ Paul contrasts the experience of being ’slaves’ with that of being God’s children; The ‘slavish spirit is one of fear - such people serve out of a fear of punishment or rejection. However, the child of God must not to serve out of, or go back to, a fearful and slavish relationship with God. I think it’s true to say that most people believe that Christians serve out of fear - that they try to please God and do His will in order to avoid punishment and rejection. Although, unfortunately, this can be the case, do we see that The Spirit does not drive us with fear, rather, He leads us with the love of the Father!
ii. We’ve received the Spirit of adoption
Instead of serving God slavishly and fearfully, the Christian serves God from a different motive; we are told ‘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.’ As we know and experience our adoption, our love for God and service of God flow from our being loved and adopted children to God. This is the difference between a child saying to their parent: “I’ll do what you say so you won’t punish me.” or “I’ll do what you say so that you will reward me”, compared to a child who says, “I’ll do what you say because I love you.” Surely, this is the approach that all parents want and it’s what God does in each of us who experience the Spirit of adoption. Of God’s children, we are told:
‘For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.’ (Romans 8:14)
The child, having the Spirit of adoption, lovingly, rather than slavishly, serves his Father. John Piper writes:
‘The Spirit does not lead by stirring up slavish fear. He leads by stirring up family affection. He does not get you to kill sin by making you a slave who acts out of fear. But by making you a son who acts out of faith and affection.’ (John Piper)
Response
The church is God’s family and today we’ve seen that those who are God’s children are promised ‘the Spirit of adoption’. The Holy Spirit working in us communicates the Father’s love to us. He communicates our security. He imparts to us a new and overflowing love for the Father that calls out, “Abba Father”. In Galatians, we read:
‘Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.’ (Galatians 4:6-7)
Of this experience, Tim Chester writes:
‘God sent Jesus, the Son by nature, so that you could become a son or daughter by adoption. But God wasn’t finished. It’s not enough for him to make you his child. He wants you to feel like his child and live like his child. So God sends the Spirit so we can feel the intimacy and confidence of being his children.’ (Tim Chester, Enjoying God)
Let’s take a moment now to pray for this experience in ourselves and others who need to throw off fear and slavishness and serve our Father with fresh love for Him.
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
This, for many, may be the first time you’ve met in a while. Therefore, it might be good to catch up on how things have gone - the highs and lows - of the summer. Alternatively, you could discuss: How has God been speaking to you from His Word recently and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday from our God’s Vision for the Church series was on how the church is God’s family. The church - The community who follow Christ - are adopted children of God and are to reflect this in their love for God, joy in life and love for the family of God.
Please read Ephesians 1:3-6 and discuss:
What would you say is the main message and application of Ephesians 1:3-6?
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What does it mean for us to be adopted by God?
How is this truth to affect our relationships in the church?
How does being God’s adopted child help you in life?
How is this new identity to affect the way that we pray? (See Matthew 6:5-13)
Alex Dias, in His message, made reference to God as our potter and our entering ‘the potters house (Jeremiah 18). How does our being God’s adopted children, along with this potter analogy, mean for how God wants to work in and on us?
SIV - How will enjoying your adoption make you a more compassionate and courageous evangelist?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
Let’s pray together from Romans 8:15-17.
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