Adopted as God's Children, We Cry, "Abba, Father!"
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | Romans 8:12–17
KEY VERSE:
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” — Romans 8:15
MESSAGE:
Paul reminds believers that their relationship with God has been completely transformed through Christ. God has graciously adopted those who trust in Christ and welcomed them into His family. He gives them a new identity, intimate access to Him as Father and the hope of an eternal inheritance. We are forgiven and received as God’s beloved sons and daughters who can confidently cry, “Abba, Father!”
Apart from Christ, humanity remains under the power of sin and the fear of condemnation. Through Christ, however, we have received the Holy Spirit, who leads us as God’s children and assures us that we belong to Him. We no longer approach God as condemned people trying to earn His acceptance. We come before Him trusting the grace through which He has made us His own.
“Abba” expresses the close, trusting relationship believers have with God as their Father. This confidence does not remove our reverence for God; it frees us from the fear that makes us withdraw from Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we can bring our needs, struggles, fears and thanksgiving to the Father, knowing that He receives us, listens to us and cares for us. The cry, “Abba, Father,” expresses both our dependence upon God and the Spirit’s assurance that we are truly His children.
Our adoption should shape how we live each day. When fear, failure or difficult circumstances make us question whether God cares, the Spirit directs us back to the truth that we belong to Him. We can pray with confidence, obey with security and face life knowing that our Father remains with us. Our hope rests in His grace and in the inheritance we share with Christ.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Bring to God one fear or struggle that has caused you to withdraw from Him. Speak to Him honestly as your Father and receive the assurance that you belong to Him through Christ. Walk through today with the confidence, obedience and security of a beloved child of God.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family through Christ. By Your Holy Spirit, deepen my assurance that I belong to You. Help me to approach You with confidence, trust Your care and live each day as Your beloved child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
Day 253 Jeremiah 21–24 — God Confronts False Shepherds and Preserves a Remnant
DAILY word study: ADOPTION In Romans 8:15, “adoption” is translated from the Greek word huiothesia (hwee-oth-es-EE-ah). It describes being formally placed in the position of a son, with the recognised identity, privileges, and inheritance of the family.
Paul uses this word to reveal what God has done for believers through Christ. God gives us a true place in His family, and the Holy Spirit assures us of this new relationship. “Sons” describes the full status of inheritance shared by every believer—male and female—in Christ.
Because we have received the Spirit of adoption, we may approach God with the confidence of children who know they belong. Our cry, “Abba, Father,” rises from a relationship God Himself has established.
Reflect on this:
Adoption means your place in God’s family rests on His gracious decision to receive you. Let this assurance shape how honestly, confidently and consistently you approach Him.
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