Romans 8:14-17
Indeed, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery so that you are afraid again, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we call out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself joins our spirit in testifying that we are God’s children. Now, if we are children, we are also heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, since we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for choosing to take us in as your children; being adopted means you chose us. Like all the world, sin and death enslaved us with no hope or chance to be released. However, you sent your Son to be the sacrifice for everyone who was held by sin’s bondage. So what does this mean that Jesus suffered the penalty for all our sins? It means he came to this earth for one purpose to suffer and die for all our sins. Before the hands of men, he was beaten for all our sins; later nailed to the cross giving up his life to defeat death. He was in the grave for three days and rose again victoriously, beating death for us and freeing us from all our shackles. This gift of forgiveness comes to us through faith in you, and through faith, we have a changed heart to know Jesus as our Savior, and your Spirit is in us. Because we have been restored to you, we are now also your children, and we get to call you “ Abba, Father.” Paul wrote to the Romans, “if we are children, we are also heirs.” So we now have an inheritance in heaven; this is our new home. Whatever may happen in this life, should we suffer for the gospel, all will pale compared to the life waiting for us when we are home with you.
Lord, we pray that you would soften the hearts of those we talk to today, so they would be receptive to the good news that Jesus has died and released them from the guilt and sin that daily plagues them. So let the seeds we share with them spring to life and take root in their hearts today. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
If you are reading this and it is the first time you have heard of Jesus’ love for you, know this—that first Easter when Jesus went to the cross and died, it was for your every sin, you are forgiven through Him, and God is calling you as His dear child.