Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Thursday, January 26, 2017
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 01.26.2017” on Spreaker.
“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” (Romans 8:14–16, NLT).
Do you have your daddy’s eyes? Do you walk like him? Do you speak like Him? Do you like the same things he likes?
Paternity Drama
Rubbish daytime television shows abound where the only plot is who really fathered those children. The women who are guests secretly have multiple sexual partners. They pick one and say “He’s the daddy.” The trouble is, that is not always the case. Sometimes they spin around, and around blindfolded, and pin the responsibility on the wrong guy. The drama-thirsty crowd awaits the on-site reveal of the paternity test results to determine if the guy they see at the moment really is the daddy. The oohs and ahhs of the crowd are deafening regardless of the results because somebody got some explaining to do.
Far from a tabloid television set is the heavenly drama being played out. We all were born of the flesh, and if somebody does not step in and do something fast, we are going to die. But God, as always, has a plan.
He manifests the greatest power the world has ever known, in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit woos us into a holy relationship with God, a miracle takes place in the lives of those who accept. A supernatural paternity exchange happens.
The Spirit leads willing people through all of the difficulties, trials, and triumphs of life, and we become God’s children through adoption. Moreover, we begin to take on the characteristics of our Father, and there is no need to conduct a paternity test. We don’t need to fear the unknown as scores of gossip-thirsty viewers await the news. No. God stands up proudly and accepts us in the name of His beloved Son, and power of the blessed Holy Spirit.
Your Acceptance. His Affirmation, Not Rejection
We begin to walk like Him. We smile at things He enjoys. We begin to think like He thinks. We eat, drink, and enjoy doing things that He would approve. We look just like Him. When people hear us speak, it’s really His voice they discern. We are children of the heavenly King!
If you like that God welcomes you into His family with open arms, there is just one thing left to do. Accept Him!
Accept your freedom from fear of rejection. Accept your freedom from slavery to sin. Accept the blessing to call Him, “Daddy.”
Accept His constant affirmation of His love. Accept the constant companionship of Jesus Christ through the agency of the Holy Spirit who gives you the power to continue in this relationship until He comes.
