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In the Old Testament God is presented both as Master (Lord) and as Father to the Jewish nation. But Jesus continuously appropriated the term father in a personal way (see John 5:17-18) that drew protests from the religious establishment.

Here, Paul uses adoption to illustrate the believer's standing in God's family. Under Roman law an adopted son became a full heir to his new father's estate.

Romans 8:14-19

1. Have you ever felt like a fearful slave (v. 15) in the way you relate to God?
2. Why, according to these verses, is this a mistaken stance?
3. Have you experienced the "dear Father" closeness to God that Paul advocates?
4. What downside to sharing our family identity (v. 17) is mentioned here?
5. What upside (v. 18) will more than compensate for this downside?
6. What family treasures should we be sharing in now?
7. What tangible or emotional need are you feeling that you should ask your heavenly Father to meet?

Thank God that His eternal Son has instructed us to also call Him "our Father." Ask Him to cause you to feel the reality of this relationship.

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family—calling him "Father, dear Father." 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children.

17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank You, Lord, that You are not a distant deity, but a personal God who reaches out to relate to us as Your sons and daughters.

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