Preacher: Venerable Dr. Jeffery Anyeneh

Romans 8:15 (ESV)

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today, we gather under the teaching of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verse 15. This verse is one of the most profound expressions of the Christian experience of God’s grace and the inner transformation wrought by the Holy Spirit. It speaks to our identity, our relationship with God, and the freedom we have in Christ. “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).

Paul contrasts two spiritual realities: slavery and adoption. These metaphors carry great weight in understanding the freedom we have as God’s children. This morning, let us reflect on what it means to have received the “Spirit of adoption” and how it transforms our lives.

Paul begins by reminding us that we have not received “the spirit of slavery.” Slavery in the Roman world was a condition of fear and oppression. Slaves were powerless, without rights, and subjected to the will of their masters. The “spirit of slavery” Paul refers to is not just a condition of social status, but a spiritual condition—a life of bondage to sin, fear, and despair.

Before Christ, humanity was enslaved to sin, under the dominion of fear and death. In this condition, we could not approach God with confidence or call Him “Father.” Our relationship with God was distant, governed by the law, which brought conviction of sin but not the power to overcome it. Fear was our constant companion, for we were unable to fulfill the law’s demands. But Christ has set us free from this bondage.

In contrast, the Apostle speaks of the “Spirit of adoption.” To be adopted means to be chosen, to be made a beloved child of God. The law could not offer us this relationship—only Christ, through His work on the cross, could reconcile us to God. We are no longer slaves to sin, but sons and daughters of the Most High.

This concept of adoption is not a trivial one. Adoption in the ancient world was a legal act that established a person as a legitimate heir. When Paul says we have received the “Spirit of adoption,” he is reminding us that through Christ, we are not only forgiven but brought into God’s family with all the rights and privileges that come with being His children.

Having received the Spirit of adoption, we are called to live in the freedom of being God’s children. This freedom is not a call to lawlessness, but to a life of love and obedience that flows from the love God has for us. As adopted children, we are heirs of God’s promises. As the Apostle Paul continues in Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”

This means we share in Christ’s inheritance. Our identity is now bound up with Christ’s identity. We are partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Our old identity as slaves to sin is gone. We are no longer defined by our past, our failures, or our sins. We are defined by our new identity as sons and daughters of God, a beloved part of His eternal family.

How comforting it is to know that we are children of God, not by our own merits, but by His grace alone! It is a relationship based not on what we do, but on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We are adopted into God’s family, not because we earned it, but because of God’s great love for us.

In the second part of verse 15, Paul writes, “by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'” The word “Abba” is an Aramaic term that means “father” but carries a deep sense of intimacy and affection. It is the word a young child would use when speaking to their father—something akin to “daddy” or “papa” in modern language. This is not a distant, formal relationship. This is a relationship of closeness and trust.

When we cry out to God, it is not with fear or trembling, but with the confidence of children approaching their loving father. Jesus Himself used the term “Abba” when He prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:36). Now, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can call God “Abba” too. We are brought into the same relationship with the Father that Jesus has.

The cry of “Abba! Father!” is not just a prayer of petition, but a prayer of identity. It declares that we are not orphans, but beloved children. We are not alienated from God, but are welcomed into His presence. We do not face God as fearful subjects, but as cherished sons and daughters.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to cry “Abba! Father!” The Spirit of God indwells us, confirming in our hearts that we are God’s children. The Spirit testifies to our spirits that we belong to God, assuring us of our place in His family. This is a profound comfort in times of doubt, distress, or uncertainty. When we face trials and difficulties, the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are not alone—we have a Father who loves us and cares for us.

In Galatians 4:6, Paul writes, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!'” It is the indwelling Spirit who prompts this cry of intimacy and love, testifying that we are truly God’s children, heirs of His promises.

In Christ, we have received the Spirit of adoption. We are no longer slaves to fear, sin, and death, but sons and daughters of the living God. Our new identity is grounded in the love of our heavenly Father, who has chosen us and called us His own. Through the Holy Spirit, we can confidently cry out to God, “Abba! Father!”—a cry of intimacy, trust, and assurance.

As we reflect on this truth, let us remember that our Christian lives are not marked by fear or uncertainty, but by the sure and steady love of the Father. Let us live in the freedom of our adoption, knowing that God’s love for us is unshakable and everlasting.

May the Spirit of adoption continue to guide us in our walk with the Lord, that we may grow ever more deeply in our relationship with Him, and more faithfully reflect His love to the world around us.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of adoption, for the privilege of being called Your children. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to assure us of Your love, and to enable us to call You “Abba, Father.” Help us to live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing we are Your beloved children. May we reflect Your love and grace to those around us, and may our lives be a testimony to the world of the great love You have for us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.