. . . for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God . . . (Romans 8:13-16, NASB)
In his letter to the church at Rome, Apostle Paul writes about fear versus love in the spirit of adoption as children of God.
In this passage, he starts by contrasting “living according to the flesh” with living “by the Spirit.” The former leads to death (“you must die”), while with the latter, “you are putting to death the deeds of the body, [and] you will live.” This is another way of discussing the “deeds of the flesh” vs. the fruit of the Spirit (see “Fruit,” February 21, 2022, below). Paul goes on to explain that “all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” It’s far better to be called a son or daughter of the living God, than to be outside the family!
Next, Paul says that those who are led by the Holy Spirit “have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!'” Sons and daughters of God have been adopted into the family; therefore there is no reason to fear. Anything. Not anyone, not circumstances, not death.
Romans 8:15 poster. Found at Women in the Word, https://t2womenintheword.blogspot.com/2017/06/he-is-our-abba-father-romans-8.html
According to Bible Gateway, the term “Abba” referring to God as Father is found three times in the New Testament. Here’s a discussion on the meaning of the word:
“The spoken language of Jews in Israel in Jesus’ day was Aramaic, and abba is an Aramaic word for father that indicates an intimate relationship. One way to render this term in English could be “Dad.” Although the Old Testament refers to God as a father in several passages, it was highly unusual for Jews to use the term of endearment Abba to refer to God. The term reveals Jesus’ close, personal relationship with God the Father, and following Jesus, Paul used it to represent believers’ relationship with the Father as well.” (Reese, Christopher. “What Does “Abba” Mean in the Bible?” February 21, 2022, Bible Gateway Blog, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2022/02/what-does-abba-mean-in-the-bible/?utm_source=bg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklybrief)
Last, Paul tells us how we know we’re adopted into God’s family: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” The Holy Spirit Himself tells us that we are sons and daughters of the One Who created the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in it. One word: Awesome! Are you a son or daughter of God? The way to make sure is to ask Jesus to come into your heart.
Jack and Jan Catton came to visit us recently. Jack was one of my roommates at the Air Force Academy, and Jack and Jan are among our closest friends. Jan’s parting words to me were, “No fear. No fear.” No fear, Jan. I’m a son of God Most High! As an adopted son, I can call Him “Dad!”
The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted. (Proverbs 29:25)
Worship: “Freedom Hymn,” by Austin French
Colonel Robin Olds in Vietnam. Found at Sandboxx, https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/the-man-behind-the-stache-why-mustache-march-matters-to-airmen/
Tuesday begins the month of March, also known as “Mustache March” in the United States Air Force. It’s an unofficial tribute to Colonel Robin Olds, who was a wing commander in Vietnam. He had a mustache that definitely exceeded Air Force standards, and was thus a hero to his troops. He was later the Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy (before my time there), and he was a hero to the Cadet Wing Across the Air Force, Airmen will grow mustaches and have contests in their units at the end of March to see who grew the best ‘stache. I’ll be participating g in Mustache March this year. Why? Because even with ALS, I can. Growing facial hair is one of the few things I can still do!