God’s Children Have Received the Spirit of Adoption 

Most of us started our lives about the same. We were born and we lived with one or more of our birth parents. 

But some of you had a different path. 

Under some circumstances, you lived with a different set of guardians or parents. Whether formally or not, these people adopted you into their household. 

Adoption is a powerful and emotional concept. When you are adopting, you are choosing to take an active role in someone’s life. You are taking responsibility for their well-being. And depending on their age, this person may be fully dependent on you. 

In Romans 8:12-17, Paul is writing to the Roman church. He is focusing on the power of the Holy Spirit and its ministry in our lives. In verse 15, Paul writes: 

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15 CSB) 

Paul discussed in Romans 8:13 that our inclination is to the flesh. We still tend to make sinful decisions. But in verse 15, God has adopted us into His family. 

In verse 15, Paul notes that we cry out “Abba, Father!” as part of His adopted family. God looks at us as His children. Calling Him “Father” is normal as a child of God. 

Also, God wants us to call Him “Father.” He doesn’t want us to stop and think, “Well, I know I have been adopted into God’s family, but there must be other ways to get help.” God wants us to know we can depend on Him – completely. 

We are not bound by the flesh any longer. We can cry to God and He will help us, because we are part of His family. 

By Jason Grace 

Jason is a software engineering manager. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and have been active members at Immanuel for over 22 years. His service includes roles in the deacon ministry, children's ministry, technical team, financial coaching, and leading Bible studies. He loves traveling with his wife and family throughout the US.