Romans 8:15 (ESV)
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!”
The spiritual warrior begins his quest bearing his status as a child of God. We are warrior children bearing the seal of our identity in Christ Jesus, marked by the Holy Spirit; being called and received all heavenly blessings (Ephesians 1).
The good Shepherd is our good Father who leads us out from the dark tunnel to face the future he plans for us. The passage of our tunnel or hideout may be long, tedious and immensely threatening but we have heard his comforting promise in Psalm 23 that he walks through with us shielding us against all odds to come out in the light. He didn’t say he will magically transport us from one point to another sparing us from the perils. He could with a snap of his finger. However, he is wise not to. As a good Father, he allows us to walk through the hardship, trials, challenges, suffering, sorrows and pain having to learn to trust his heart and learn to fight battles together with him.
He cautions us not to “fall back into fear” – that is a sin. Our Father desires we embrace the spirit of sonship – an identity embedded in Christ Jesus which is crucial to ensure our quest for conquest is secured in him being the Creator of all. Most children know who their father is, but whether they embrace the status as a son will determine the essence of their relationship, and how much he wants to receive his legacy and pass it on.
A child who knows how to “cry, Abba Father!” is one who knows his identity as a son, shares an intimate relationship with Father and has internalized the trust factor. He will not allow himself to “fall back into fear” and be a subject to slavery. He deeply understands that, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim.1:7, KJV)
The son comprehends and is convicted of his privileges yielded in that relationship. His seal of sonship empowers him to be the warrior to counter his own perception of being “the weakling”. (Joel 3:10) This spirit of sonship has been given “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12) This is our assurance that we have been sealed with that honour.
“Heavenly Father, I declare I am a warrior child, I will not succumb to fear any more for I have received the spirit of sonship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 8 April 2020.