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,
It is no insignificant miracle that all who believe have been adopted into your family; we say, “Thank you, Lord, for all you have done.” You brought us into your kingdom through word and sacrament to be your eternal heirs. By faith in our Savior Jesus, we are united to you and call you our Father.
We are your children because you gave up your one and only Son to suffer on the cross the punishment for all our sins; Jesus took all the sin that divides us from you into himself. When we were baptized, our sins were washed away in our baptisms, and your Holy Spirit began faith in us to believe we have that forgiveness. Our faith rests in Jesus knowing, trusting, and believing we are forgiven; your Spirit leads us. We know that just as Jesus suffered and died on that cross, we died with him in our baptisms, and a new man has come forth by faith. Salvation comes to us by trusting our sins are removed, and we testify we are your children, and one day soon, we will be with you for the rest of eternity. Thank you for restoring us to you and that miracle of faith.
We pray for opportunities to share the good news of our salvation that we are adopted into your family with those who do not know you. We pray that they, too, will know, trust, and believe the forgiveness you have given them through your Son Jesus; so they have eternal life and salvation. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
By faith, you are God’s child; live by faith in forgiveness, no longer afraid of your sins because Jesus has forgiven them all.