An Adopted Child

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." Rom. 8:5

I had a daunting task ahead of me today.  Romans 8 is a passage of scripture full of truth.  If you haven't read the chapter, I'd encourage you to do so before reading this.  I'm intimidated because there is sooo much in just one chapter.  Paul can sure pack it in LOL  After studying the chapter, I had written about 5 pages (front and back) in my notebook, but felt that one topic truly related to my word for the year. 

Paul has been speaking on the bondage we all have to the sinful nature in previous chapters.  Now, I could write for hours on this topic as I've was bound for years to addiction.  Thankfully, Jesus is releasing me from those chains daily, hourly, every minute.  In this chapter, Paul begins to speak on our freedom brought through the sacrifice of Jesus.  Praise the Lord!  Because of him, there is no condemnation for me (8:1)...can I get a Hallelujah!  I am not condemned anymore because of HIM.  I don't have to live bound anymore, because of HIM.  I can be free and alive, because of HIM!!

In 8:6, we find that the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace, an obligation to put to death deeds of the flesh (8:12), a life led by the Spirit who adopted us as sons and daughters (8:14-15), and an expectancy of the day we will be redeemed from these earthly bodies and forever with him (8:23-25).

My sweet friend, Amy, has put adoption into practice and given me such a visual of this amazing truth.  Her family includes several adopted children, the newest addition being an adorable little girl from China.  When they first met Charlotte, she was lonely, withdrawn, scared and had no idea what being in a family was all about.  They rescued her from her surroundings, brought her into their family and called her their own.  Amy says that Charlotte follows her around everywhere, mimics her movements, copies her speech, and clings to her for acceptance and protection.  She is learning to be a part of a family.

What a beautiful picture of how we are to respond to our Abba...our Daddy!

We are to cling to him, mimic him, follow his movements and draw close to him.  Living every day in anticipation of the day we will meet face to face.  Oh, come Lord Jesus!

My former family was full of rejection, loneliness, defeat, lack of purpose, betrayal, addictions, worthlessness, etc.  You fill in the blank for yourself...those are just mine.  And it's hard not to visit them sometimes.  It's the war between the flesh and the Spirit.  The war between life and death (8:6).  Because of Christ's sacrifice (8:3), I am free of my former family and obligated to never visit them again.  I have a new Daddy to cry out to in times of trouble...times when my former family try to take hold of me again.  And my Daddy is bigger and stronger and loves me fiercely!

To set my mind on the Spirit this year, I will have to become a child again.  To watch my Daddy...to spend time in his lap...run to him for help and protection or when I just don't know what to do.  I think he's been waiting for me...