{"id":392,"date":"2022-02-27T23:33:37","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T23:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=392"},"modified":"2022-02-27T23:33:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T23:33:42","slug":"heirs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=392","title":{"rendered":"Heirs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

. . . 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, \u201cAbba! Father!\u201d  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God . . .   (Romans 8:13-16, NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his letter to the church at Rome, Apostle Paul writes about fear versus love in the spirit of adoption as children of God.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this passage, he starts by contrasting “living according to the flesh” with living “by the Spirit.”\u00a0 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.”\u00a0 This is another way of discussing the “deeds of the flesh” vs. the fruit of the Spirit (see “Fruit,” February 21, 2022, below).\u00a0 Paul goes on to explain that “all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”\u00a0 It’s far better to be called a son or daughter of the living God, than to be outside the family!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romans 8:15 poster.\u00a0 Found at Women in the Word,\u00a0https:\/\/t2womenintheword.blogspot.com\/2017\/06\/he-is-our-abba-father-romans-8.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Bible Gateway, the term “Abba” referring to God as Father is found three times in the New Testament.\u00a0 Here’s a discussion on the meaning of the word:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The spoken language of Jews in Israel in Jesus\u2019 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 \u201cDad.\u201d 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\u2019 close, personal relationship with God the Father, and following Jesus, Paul used it to represent believers\u2019 relationship with the Father as well.”\u00a0 (Reese, Christopher.\u00a0 “What Does “Abba” Mean in the Bible?”\u00a0 February 21, 2022, Bible Gateway Blog, found at\u00a0https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/what-does-abba-mean-in-the-bible\/?utm_source=bg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklybrief<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last, Paul tells us how we know we’re adopted into God’s family:\u00a0 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.”\u00a0 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.\u00a0 One word:\u00a0 Awesome!\u00a0 Are you a son or daughter of God?\u00a0 The way to make sure is to ask Jesus to come into your heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fear of man brings a snare,\u00a0But he who trusts in the Lord\u00a0will be exalted.\u00a0 (Proverbs 29:25)
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