THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION
Jackson Jose continues the series on the Holy Spirit.
BELOVED CHILDREN
From start to finish, the Holy Bible shows us the everlasting love of our Heavenly Father towards us, His children. The Jewish people had been taught that God was unapproachable and should be worshipped from afar. But Jesus revealed that God is our Father, who loves us and wants us to love Him in return. God has given us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Adoption to help us to appreciate that we are the beloved children of God. In Romans 8:15 St Paul, speaking to the early Christians, explains that those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. This is because they did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but they received a spirit of adoption, through which they can cry, “Abba, Father!” Abba was an expression of intimacy used by children toward their fathers, something like daddy or papa. This is how Jesus addressed His Heavenly Father and He invites us to do the same. He wants each of us to have an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father just as He did.
TRUSTING LOVE
It is the Holy Spirit that produces in us a child-like love for God our Father and allows us to trust in His tender and compassionate care for us. “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7) It is through the Holy Spirit that we receive mercy and salvation. The Holy Spirit encourages us when we sin to repent and turn back to our loving Father like the Prodigal son. “God the Father saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)
ADOPTED
The Holy Spirit is constantly at work in us, to open us up to His love, to soften our hearts and to help us to become more holy. This holiness is achieved by drawing closer to Jesus and by entering into the relationship that Jesus has with His Heavenly Father. It is the Spirit of Adoption that produces in us an affectionate longing for an intimate connection with the Father. When Jesus gave His followers the authority to address God as "Abba Father", He was giving them a share in His relationship with the Father. It is as if Jesus Himself, through the Holy Spirit, leads us in prayer when we call out ‘Abba Father.’ So let us be thankful that we have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Adoption who reveals to us that God is our Heavenly Father.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. Romans-8-15
Prayer : Abba Father, fountain of all goodness, we thank You for Your unconditional love, and for the gift of your Holy Spirit to us. Holy Spirit, Spirit of Adoption, help us to know that God is our Heavenly Father and that we are His beloved children. Amen.
