Living in the Spirit
June 2, 2022
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
The whole idea of slavery is repulsive to me, although it is the norm throughout the Bible. The Israelites were taken into slavery because their growth became a threat to the Egyptians who had welcomed them when Joseph helped the Egyptians survive drought and famine. It was normal for fighting armies from other tribes and nations to take slaves from their enemies. Even fellow Israelites used specified service slavery as a means of paying debts.
I have a copy of the legal papers that my 5th generation grandfather signed for his fifteen-year-old son, my 4th generation grandfather, to serve seven years as an indentured servant to learn how to work in the steel industry. He was also to be taught how to read, write, and cipher. Today we would probably call that being an apprentice. My 4th generation grandfather had a very successful life working at a steel forge. He must have been pretty good at it. During the War of 1812 instead of being conscripted into the army to fight, he was conscripted to work in a factory making Pennsylvania rifles for the war.
So how do we respond to Paul’s words that we did not receive a spirit of slavery but of adoption? He is defining our relationship with God as becoming a part of the family of God where we learn how to be successful people. Such success happens within the parameters of a family that desires the very best for each of its members as they relate to God and to one another. That clarification was most important in first-century Rome where Christ-followers were coming together from very different backgrounds. Some were slaves and some were slave owners. That clarification is still very important for us today as we live in a world of diversity.
Prayer: Lord, help us see ourselves as a part of the family of God among all your children whom you call us to love. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.