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)
THUMP knock thump hoWL… a young child hears a noise. Outside. At night. And is scared. Without pause he shuts his eyes tightly and opens his mouth and calls, “DaaaAAAAADDDdy!”
Or…
THUMP knock thump hoWL… a young slave child hears a noise. Outside. At night. And is scared. But there is no Daddy to call. And so the fear remains.
Adoption occurs when a person willingly and eagerly takes another person into their family.
Please remember that you were adopted by God Himself. He knows what you are really like, but He adopted you anyway. He knows how much He is always going to have to help you out, but He adopted you anyway. He knows that you will always be a bit of a rebel, a bit of a black sheep, a bit like the embarrassing uncle, but he adopted you anyway.
Please remember that you are not God’s slave, or employee, or underling. If you were, you should be afraid. Slaves get sold down the river. Employees get fired or transfer. Underlings, when too much underfoot, get kicked out of the ‘in’ group. And so slaves, employees, and underlings are always a bit afraid. Or they should be.
Paul tells us that we are not fearful slaves… we are adopted children!
And not merely children, but we get to be that kind of child that cries out, “Abba! Father!”
Abba is an interesting word. Abba is one part, “Daddy,” one part, “Deeply Known,” one part, “Constant Gift-Giver,” one part, “Embracer,” and one part, “Absolutely Reliable.”
Because we can call God, “Abba,” we have nothing to fear. Who fears when we are with Daddy? Who fears when we are focused on our deeply known God? Who fears when we are overwhelmed by His gifts? Who fears when we are enfolded in His arms? Who fears when we are aware of His reliability?
But again, ALL of things aspects are more precious and helpful when we know that God does all those things because He wants to! He chooses to! He likes to!
He adopted you! So fear not.