DEVOTION – DAY 572

Romans 8:15 “Co-Heirs With Christ”

Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry “Abba” Father.

In ancient times, it was common among the Greeks and Romans to adopt sons. The adopted sons would be granted the same privileges that would be given to natural born children, including inheritance rights. This verse confirms that Christians are adopted sons of God by grace – a favor we did nothing to deserve. 

Although we are now co-heirs with Jesus Christ, we must remember that Christ is God’s natural Son. We are given the great privilege to call God, “Abba” Father – an expression that reveals our close relationship to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are now freed from the bondage of sin – we have the power to flee from sin, we have the strength to resist sin and its temptations. We no longer need to live in fear. Instead, we are to live in victory as children of God.

We knew someone who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Because this man had a strong faith in the Lord, he was not filled with despair. Instead, he was filled with hope. He knew that God has promised Christians that they would experience eternal life and that he will enjoy glory in eternity, so there was no need to fear death. He was not anxious about death. Instead, he was a source of encouragement for the rest of his family and other church members who visited him. He began each day in prayer calling upon God as his “Abba” Father. Even though his strength may weaken as his illness progressed, he remained positive. He never asked the Lord to cure him and remove him from his suffering. Instead, he trusted in the Lord that it was time for him to return home to be with God. He died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. He had lived a life of victory in the Lord.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for making us co-heirs with Christ. Thank you for the privilege of granting us closeness with you and being able to call you “Abba”. Please help us to walk in victory daily and banish all fear from us as we walk and serve you faithfully and to give you glory. We pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Are you fearful and anxious about something? Will you share it with someone who can uphold you in prayer?
  2. Will you surrender your fears to the Lord and ask Him to fill you with His peace, strength and grace?
  3. What does it mean to you to be able to call the Lord your “Abba” Father? 
  4. How does this verse give you hope, peace and strength as you walk with the Lord each day? Discuss.