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Romans 8:14–15 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Think

There’s something powerful about hearing your name called in a way that says, “You belong here.” It could be a coach reading off a roster, a teacher calling roll, or a friend waving you over to sit at their lunch table. That small invitation changes everything. It doesn’t just tell you where to go. It tells you who you are.

Paul says something even more powerful in these verses. If you are led by the Spirit, you are a child of God. Not might be. Not someday will be. You are. That’s not just theology. That’s identity. And it’s not earned. It’s received.

This is the heart of the gospel. God didn’t just forgive your sin. He adopted you into his family. You are not just a former rebel who was pardoned. You are a beloved son or daughter who has been brought home.

Paul is writing to people who understood what slavery meant. In the Roman world, slaves had no rights, no inheritance, no name that carried weight. Adoption, however, was a legal act that gave someone full status as a child, equal in every way to a biological heir. It wasn’t a second-tier status. It was full inclusion.

And that’s the image Paul uses. The Spirit you received doesn’t make you a slave. He doesn’t lead you back into fear. He leads you into sonship. Into a relationship so close, so intimate, that you begin to cry out from the deepest part of you, “Abba, Father.”

“Abba” is not a formal word. It’s not like “Dear Sir” or “Honorable Parent.” It’s the word children used in the home. It carries tenderness, familiarity, and dependence. It’s closer to “Daddy” than to “Father.” And the fact that Paul says we cry it out shows that this is more than a title. It’s a relationship that moves our hearts.

But not everyone lives like this is true. Many people live with a spiritual orphan mindset. They believe in God, but they still live like outsiders. They assume God is constantly disappointed. They feel like they have to earn their place every day. They walk on spiritual eggshells, afraid to fail, afraid to be found out, afraid to fall short.

That’s not life in the Spirit. That’s life in fear. And Paul says you’ve already been freed from that. If you’ve received the Spirit, you’ve received the full rights of adoption. God is not tolerating you. He has chosen you. You are not a guest in the house. You are family.

Think about what that means. It means you don’t have to prove yourself. You don’t have to perform for approval. You don’t have to wonder if you’re wanted. You are led by the Spirit—not driven by shame, not dragged by fear, but gently led as a child who is deeply loved.

And when you forget, the Spirit reminds you. When fear creeps in, the Spirit testifies to your belonging. When you feel unworthy, the Spirit prompts you to cry out to the only One who can give you peace: Abba.

It’s easy to fall back into fear. Fear feels familiar. It gives the illusion of control. “If I can just be good enough, I’ll be safe. If I can just avoid mistakes, I won’t be rejected.” But fear never leads to intimacy. Fear may keep you compliant, but it will never let you feel secure. Only love can do that. And only the Spirit can anchor that love in your heart.

This is why it’s essential to keep coming back to who you are. You’re not just trying to follow God. You belong to him. And you are being led, not just instructed. The Spirit doesn’t bark orders from a distance. He walks with you. He whispers truth. He gives peace. He reminds you that you’re not alone, not forgotten, not abandoned.

You may not feel bold. You may still struggle. You may have moments where you question if you’re really growing. But if the Spirit is in you, you’re being led. You’re being fathered. You’re being shaped into someone who doesn’t just follow the rules, but walks in relationship.

Don’t settle for fear when you’ve been given adoption. Don’t keep acting like a slave when your Father has handed you the keys to the house. The door is open. The seat at the table has your name on it. And the Father is not scowling. He’s smiling.

You don’t have to earn what’s already yours. You just have to believe it. You belong.

Apply

Write down the words “I am a child of God. I belong.” Keep them somewhere visible today. Any time fear or insecurity creeps in, repeat those words out loud. Cry out “Abba” in your own language—whatever name feels most personal to you—and let the Spirit lead you back to the Father’s love.

Pray

God, thank you for adopting me into your family. I don’t want to live like a spiritual orphan. Remind me that I belong to you. Teach me to live from love, not fear. Help me trust that I am led, known, and wanted. Let your Spirit anchor me in your presence today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.