365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns October 03

365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns

                                        (Devotional Readings on the Names of God)

October 03

THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the

Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

ROMANS 8:15

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Adoption who placed you in the family of God. The Spirit of Adoption facilitated your legal adoption by God the Father. Now that you have all the "rights" of God's children, you can call Him Abba, Father. Just as children are legal heirs of all their father's possessions, so you can inherit all the riches and benefits of your Father in Heaven. Because none of us is worthy to be God's children, our adoption is a gift of grace. It was through the death of Christ that our sins were forgiven, giving us a basis to become God's children.

Holy Spirit, thank You for making me a legal child of God; thank You

for my adoption. Now help me please my Father and serve Him.

The Spirit of Adoption makes all the Father's wealth available to you. The Holy Spirit gives you a new nature (see Ephesians 4:22-24) and intercedes to the Father for you (see Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit can show you all the glories of Heaven (see Ephesians 2:7) and give you Christian character (see Galatians 5:22-23). All that the Father wants to do for you, the Holy Spirit will deliver to you. But you must desire these benefits and claim them.

Holy Spirit I was an alien from God, without hope and

without promise (see Ephesians 2:12), but You drew me to salvation.

You made it possible for me to be adopted into Your family. Thank

You for this new relationship to the Father. Now help me live as a

child of God should live. Amen.

Reading: 2 Samuel 9

Key Thought: The Holy Spirit adopted you into God's family.