Freedom — As a Son – Tuesday
TODAY’S VERSE
Romans 8:15-17
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV)
I’m grateful that for most of my life I’ve been able to avoid the four walls of a courtroom. Sure, I watched Judge Judy on days I was at home sick from school, but I stayed out of the drama myself. That was until a two-and-a-half-year period where I regularly showed up to family court as a foster parent. Court days were always filled with a lot of worry, and doing our best to cast our anxieties on God. We didn’t have much power over what would happen to our family. But time after time, we would leave these court hearings with tears of joy because God had answered our prayers and allowed us a chance to continue caring for this child. At the end of those 28 months, we left that courtroom with tears for one final time. Because that child officially became part of our family through adoption.
The judge made several statements that made a huge impact on our lives. The most profound being, “This child will get a new birth certificate with your names on it as her parents. She will be as much a child to you as your biological children are. With the same legal rights, protections, and familial relationships.” Phew. I’m tearing up just remembering that moment. I felt like she was my daughter from the first moment she walked into our home with a social worker. But for the first time, there was legal precedence that she was part of our family to stay. Forever. Only by the grace of God.
How much more grace was shown to us when God chose to adopt us? We were a complete mess, way beyond what you see in family court, but God chose us anyway. We did nothing to earn a place in the family; we had no power in this legal proceeding, and by His Grace, God said, “I want you to be my child.”
We get to call God “Abba, Father.” Can you believe that? Which means we aren’t second-tier children. We get the same legal standing as His Son Jesus! We are fellow heirs with Christ in all that God gives us. What a good God and Father!
APPLICATION
Our church desires to live out God’s command to care for orphans. Go to southland.church/adoption to inquire about opportunities at our church, visit our partners at Orphan Care Alliance to serve families in the community, or support a family you know through a season of fostering or adoption!
PRAYER
Father, thank You for adopting me and calling me Your child. Remind me that I’m no longer a slave to my old ways. Remind me of my freedom in You.