14 All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. 15 You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. 17 But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him.
Reflection
As a Christian I often feel like I have dual citizenship. I live simultaneously in both the world and in God’s Kin(g)-dom here and now. The world surrounds me with sin that leads to death, and God’s Kin(g)-dom surrounds me with holiness that leads to life. Hourly I am confronted with making choices here in the world that will further the work of loving others, which is the difficult task of living into God’s Kin(g)-dom.
In making choices we know we aren’t alone. We can rely on being led by the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? It means the transforming love of God is at work, through the Holy Spirit in us, to change us and guide us to be holy people. The Spirit enables us to make holy choices to do God’s will here and now. This is a life long process that John Wesley called “going on to perfection.” Jesus died for our sins to free us to be God’s redeemed children, filled with the very breath and life of God.
Did you know that you have been adopted into God’s family? Jesus promised us that when he left us on earth we would not be left orphans. God sent us the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and guide. It is the Holy Spirit, in us, that allows us to recognize that we are adopted into the family of God. God loves us so much that we are not just God’s children, but heirs who will inherit eternal life through Jesus. Our relationship is so special that we can call God our Father our divine and ever-loving parent.
By Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering & Prayer
Living in the world right now and following Jesus isn’t easy. We will encounter suffering. Choosing to work for justice and mercy and showing love to all God’s children requires us to connect with our “Abba,” Father God, in prayer. In what way do you feel the Holy Spirit is moving you to live a life of holiness?
Prayer: Abba God, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to transform us and guide us, your children. Fill us with your Spirit. As you have welcomed us into your loving family, help us to remember to love and welcome all your children into your Kin(g)-dom. Amen.
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