Together

Text: Romans 8:14-17a

Theme: We are adopted into God’s forever family together with Jesus.

Key verses: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (v. 14-17).

What God said to me: Good morning, my son. I could start off my conversation with you berating you for your recent missteps and failures to invest time with me. I could point out your many imperfections. But honestly, I don’t really see or remember any of that right now. I see my Son’s blood covering your life, and I have a deep, everlasting love for you through which I filter all of my thoughts about you. You are my child, and I am your friend. That is how we will begin our conversation today–as family and friends. There are at least three statements Paul made in these particular verses that should outright startle you and humble you at the same time. First, notice that Paul said you have received my Spirit. Let that one sink in a moment. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you. Next, Paul said I adopted you as my own child. Do you realize how permanent adoption is? You were grafted into my Vine. I will never let you go. You are forever a part of my spiritual family of believers in my Son. What’s more, I chose you. In natural birth parents can’t choose what child they receive to raise and nurture. Not so with adoptive parents. They get to choose which child they wish to adopt and call their own. I chose you and still choose you. I wished and wish for you to be mine. You didn’t come to me as a surprise. I elected you before the foundation of the world to be my very own beloved child. What should shock you the most is the statement from Paul that together with Christ you are (both) heirs of my glory. By my unfathomable grace, I have raised you up and seated you in the heavenly realms. Why would I do that? Paul said in Ephesians 2 that it’s because you are “united with Christ Jesus.” You are literally together and united with the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is your elder brother. You should never, ever have a doubt to the extent of my love for you. It truly is from everlasting to everlasting. Today and every day, I see you as having my Spirit, adopted into my family, and together with my only begotten Son. Now, that should brighten your day!

What I said to God: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Lord, I am blown away by Your encouraging and powerful words to me. I stand and bow amazed in Your massive yet merciful presence. Please forgive me for ever taking my eyes and thoughts off of You, my good, good Father. I praise You, Elohim and want to worship You with every ounce of my being this day.