Passage
For you all did not receive again a spirit of slavery into
fear but you all received a spirit of adoption in whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The same spirit testifies in support with our
spirit that we are children of God. And
if we are children, we are also heirs.
On one hand we are heirs of God, but on the other hand we are co-heirs
with Christ if indeed we suffer together in order that we should be glorified
together.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Paul tells us that in God we have not received a spirit of
fear. This is a huge point. So often when we are growing in Christ it is
easy to be held captive by our fear. We
realize just how badly we messed up life when we had control and we fear being
God’s representative because we sure don’t want to mess that up! However, this shows our faulty
perspective. So long as I am a disciple
of Jesus, following His example, and submitting to God’s will, then He will go
before me and equip me in order to make my efforts fruitful even when I am less
than perfect. This is why Paul says we
have received a spirit of adoption, not slavery. We humble ourselves to discern God’s
will. But once we have discerned His
will, we can go forth into freedom and confidence.
When are you held captive in your fear rather than being
bold in your faith? How can discernment
help us be bold instead of afraid? How
does this show us the importance of having people who can help us discern?
Second Thought:
Paul then reminds us that if we are adopted, then we are
heirs. As Christ was raised from the
dead, that is our inheritance, too. As
Christ was brought into the presence of the Father for all eternity, that is
our inheritance, too. We are genuinely
heirs with Christ. What a great inheritance
to have!
How does it make you feel to remember that you are an heir
to such an incredible inheritance? How
will you respond?
Third Thought:
The inheritance does not come without an exchange. Paul reminds us that we are co-heirs if we
indeed suffer with Christ so that we may be glorified with Christ. That’s the dark side. God does not allow us to continue living in
this world and by this world’s standards as well as be an inheritor of His
kingdom. It’s one or the other. When we follow God and God’s ways, we will
suffer at the hands of the world. But
that is an extraordinarily fair trade.
What is a little temporary suffering compared to being an eternal heir
of God’s kingdom?
Do you suffer with Christ?
How do you suffer with Christ? Do
you consider that a fair trade for being an heir to God’s kingdom?
Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 8:18-22
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