“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
The Loneliness
Paul names a specific contrast here, spirit of bondage, Spirit of adoption, worth examining directly, worth holding as needed correction against however much your own relationship with God has felt more like bondage, fearful obligation, than this described, genuine, adoptive relationship.
Notice whereby we cry, Abba, Father, worth examining this specific, intimate language, worth holding as this movement’s own aim, not distant, formal relationship but this described, genuine intimacy, worth considering whether your own prayer has actually reflected this described, close, familial address.
This is worth applying against however much fear has characterized more of your own relationship with God than this described adoption, worth examining what actually receiving the Spirit of adoption, rather than continuing in fearful bondage, might genuinely, practically change about your own daily prayer and posture.
Consider today praying with this specific, intimate address, Abba, Father, worth practicing this described, genuine closeness rather than whatever fearful bondage may have previously, actually characterized your own relationship, trusting this Spirit of adoption as genuinely, actually received, not still awaited.
Live As Family
- Examine whether fear has characterized more of your relationship with God than genuine adoption.
- Pray today using this intimate address, Abba, Father, practicing this described closeness.
- Trust that the Spirit of adoption is genuinely, actually already received, not still awaited.
Prayer
Abba, Father. Let me cry this today, trusting the Spirit of adoption, not the spirit of bondage and fear, as what I have genuinely, actually received from you. Amen.
Carry this today
The Spirit of adoption produces genuine intimacy, not fearful bondage or distant formality.