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Romans 8:15 - No Longer Fearful Slaves But Joyful Children Of God.

Romans 8:15 (ESV) 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!  

Romans 8:15 (NLT) So you have not received a 
spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you 
received Gods Spirit when he adopted you as his 
own children. Now we call him, Abba, 
Father.  

INTRODUCTION

   Paul uses adoption to illustrate the 
believer's new relationship with God. In Roman culture, 
the adopted person lost all rights in his old 
family and gained all the rights of a legitimate 
child in his new family. He became a full heir to 
his new father's estate. Likewise, when a person 
becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the 
privileges and responsibilities of a child in God's 
family. One of these outstanding privileges is being 
led by the Spirit (see Galatians 4:5, 6). We may 
not always feel as though we belong to God, but 
the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward 
presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us 
with God's love (5:5). 
   We are no longer like "fearful slaves"; 
instead, we are the Master's children. What a 
privilege! Because we are God's children, we share in 
great treasures as co-heirs. God has already given 
us his best gifts: his Son, his Holy Spirit, 
forgiveness, and eternal life; and he encourages us to 
ask him for whatever we need. [Life Application 
SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Growing up, I didnt know my biological 
father. But my mother married a man named Oscar 
Laurie, who adopted me formally. He treated me as a 
father should treat a son. He disciplined me when I 
went astray. He did the best that he could in 
helping me to be a good boy. But tragically my mom 
left him, and I didnt see him for the rest of 
my childhood. 
   However, I did have the privilege of 
reconnecting with him as a young adult, after I become a 
Christian and a pastor. I also had the privilege of 
leading him to the Lord. 
   Just as Oscar Laurie adopted me, God has 
adopted you, if you have put your faith in Christ. 
The Bible says, For all who are led by the 
Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14 
NLT). 
   Are you a child of God? That comes 
through believing in Jesus Christ. He can pardon you 
of every sin you have ever committed. Maybe 
youre thinking, Ive messed up and made 
mistakes. I have sinned. 
   You dont have to be controlled by your 
past. And you dont have to be crippled by it, 
either. You can put it behind. You can become a new 
person in Jesus Christ. 
   This is your moment to come into a 
relationship with the God who loves you. He loves you so 
much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to 
come to this earth, die on the cross for your 
sin, and rise from the dead. Now He stands at the 
door of your life and knocks. And if you hear His 
voice and open the door, He will come in. 
   Are you worn out and exhausted? Are you 
filled with sadness and depression? There is hope. 
But this hope is not in religion or in rules and 
regulations. It is hope in Jesus Christ coming to live 
inside of you. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

COMMENTARY

If fear falls upon you in a punitive sense, 
check and find its source.  Following God's Spirit 
we have no fear, we have God's love instead.  
We are exhorted to remember that we are God's 
children, in such a wonderful relationship to Him that 
out of our heart we may cry, Papa, to Him who 
sits above all creation enthroned in majesty!  
Having become part of God's family we receive His 
Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us and give 
us the power to please God.  Even if our own 
spirit questions our position in Christ, God's 
Spirit witnesses to us inwardly and tells us we are 
indeed sons of God!  If we find ourselves 
questioning our position in God's family regularly we 
must ask the Lord to reveal to us its source.  Be 
prepared.  We can call Him Papa. He has given us that 
right. But He also will keep us walking the narrow 
path by whatever means are necessary. [In His 
Time; Walk With Wisdom] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Revelation 3:20 - An Invitation For 
Relationship With Divinity. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220506-0938.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657