Christmas - Part 3

Sometimes I feel like the trials of this life are too much.

Sometimes I'm tempted to go "back to Egypt."

Sometimes I'm afraid of the future.

Sometimes I want to abandon the Christian life.

If you like me have ever felt like this, both you and I can take consolation in what God has written for those who have been adopted as sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ:

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Rom 8:15 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."

When the elements of the world creep up on you, attempting to take you captive; attempting to drag you back into bondage; attempting to make you fearful of life and to doubt God, you can cry out, “Abba, Father!”

Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

The Spirit living in the believer gives confident assurance that one is accepted fully as a child into God’s family (8:15-16).

Galatians 4 tells us that we were in bondage to the elements of the world:

* We were following after the world, the flesh and the devil.

* We lived according to what was right in our own eyes.

* We were under the judgement of God.

* Many of us were in fear that the hammer of God was coming down and many of us didn't care.

* We like so many were paranoid of our future. One day death would show up on our doorsteps and we would not be ready.

* We weren't sure if God knew about our existence and if He knew whether or not He cared.

But Christ saved us!!!. And the Bible said, "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."

The Spirit living in us gave us the confident assurance that we were accepted fully as a son into God’s family!

(Gal 4:6 NKJV) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

(Gal 4:7 NKJV) Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

This is what the Incarnation is all about!

It is God coming in the flesh as Jesus Christ, the God-man. Very God and very man.

He came born of a woman, born under the law to redeem us who were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.

If you are in Christ, you are a son and God is your Abba, Father (Daddy).

You are no longer a slave to the law or pagan rituals but a son.

You are no longer a child but an adult-son with full privileges of sonship as an heir of God through Christ.