Devotion #5: Good, Good Father
In Romans 8:15-17, we are invited into a new life free from fear, guilt, and the pressure to perform. Through the Gospel and the Holy Spirit, God has made us His children, offering us a future far beyond our understanding.
Paul writes, “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 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, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
The family unit is a central metaphor in the Bible, helping believers understand their relationship with God and each other. For those with positive father figures, this passage brings comfort, echoing the love and security of a father. However, for those who have suffered from neglect or abuse, the idea of “father” may stir painful emotions, making it difficult to fully embrace God’s love. Yet, Paul is not asking us to compare God to earthly fathers. He emphasizes that God is the perfect Father. He is unchanging, always present, and always good.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are assured that we are children of God. It is not because of anything we have done but because of His love and grace. Regardless of our earthly father experiences, we can rest in the truth that God’s love for us is unwavering and perfect. As His children, we are free from fear, rejection, and performance-based approval. We are no longer slaves to guilt, shame, or religious expectations.
This freedom is not just about being loved; it is also about receiving an inheritance. We are co-heirs with Christ, sharing fully in the blessings of God’s Kingdom. We are not second-class citizens but heirs. However, there is a cost to this inheritance: it is shared with Christ, meaning we also share in His sufferings. Just as Christ endured hardship, we, too, will face trials. However, Paul reminds us that suffering is not without purpose. As we share in Christ’s sufferings, we will also share in His glory.
Our trials are not meaningless; they are part of God’s process to shape us more like Christ and bring us into the fullness of His victory. Though suffering is temporary, the glory that awaits us is eternal. As co-heirs with Christ, we look forward to a future where every tear is wiped away, every pain is healed, and every injustice is made right.
This is the promise we have as children of God: freedom, forgiveness, and an eternal future with Christ. We are no longer slaves to fear, guilt, or sin. We are sons and daughters of a perfect Father, sharing in the glorious inheritance of Christ.