“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.””
Romans 8:15 NIV
One of the great benefits of our society that we seek is acceptance. We like to belong, fit in, be part of the gang. We humans strive for acceptance almost from the time we can walk. Our problem is that we often want acceptance into things that by design are not good for us. We seek friendships in the wrong crowd, put own desires and expectations aside to mold into some group or cause. I believe God meant acceptance to be the doorway to a greater life where you as you are can become all God has made you to be.
These verses show us that by accepting our Lord and Savior gives us his spirit that brings with it adoption, acceptance into the family of God. We are still that wonderfully made creature God made but now we are free to serve our Father who made us as his child. Now that is acceptance! We go from being lost to being vitally connected to the creator of the entire universe. We no longer have an indentity problem but a greater life and future with a glorious Father.
I love that last line: And by him we cry “ABBA Father!”. We are now connected, accepted for all eternity in God’s great love and mercy!
In Christ
RJ