The Watchman's Diary

“For all who are led by the Ruach Elohim, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall again into fear; rather, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””—Romans 8:14-15

The above scripture tells us a hard truth, one that we often don’t like to hear because it holds us accountable. That is, the children of God are those who are obedient to His Holy Spirit. How often do you get the retort “we are all God’s children!” You may have heard this when you are attempting to minister to or correct someone who doesn’t have a relationship with Yeshua (Jesus). It may often be a retort to escape the accountability required by scripture. After all, if we are all God’s children, who are you to tell someone else how to live! But Scripture tell us “whoever did receive Him, those trusting in His name, to these He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1 :12).

In this we also find a comforting truth—that we are freed from bondage and are accepted in the household of God! We are no longer stranger and outsiders but welcomed through the Spirit of adoption and granted to right to call Him our Abba! This “not of a bloodline, nor of human desire, nor of man’s will, but of God” (John 1:13).

This was an adoption long in the making, for “He predestined us for adoption as sons [and daughters] through Messiah Yeshua, in keeping with the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5). Now that it has been revealed, we can “See how glorious a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children—and so we are!” (1 John 3:1) but there’s so much more, for “it has not yet been revealed what we will be. But we do know that when it’s revealed, we shall be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).

We no longer suffer under the yoke of bondage, “For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah” (Galatians 3:26-27). We must not take this adoption lightly; it comes with much responsibility. For “it is the person that keeps on doing what is right who is righteous, just as God is righteous” (1 John 3:7). Moreover, “No one who has God as his Father keeps on sinning, because the seed planted by God remains in him. That is, he cannot continue sinning, because he has God as his Father” (1John 3:9). Finally, “Here is how one can distinguish clearly between God’s children and those of the Adversary: everyone who does not continue doing what is right is not from God” (1 John 3:10).

If you are in Messiah Yeshua, you are a child of God and your life is a testimony of your adoption!