Romans 8:15 · KJV

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

King James Version

Passage Context

¹³For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

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Devotional Reflection

LoveJoyPeaceGratitudeAwe

Even though God is so holy, powerful, and awesome, He wants us to call Him "Abba Father." Jewish toddlers called their fathers "Abba" to show affection, familiarity, dependence, and love. God has given us this ultimate gift of availability, love, companionship, protection, and mighty care. He did this by putting His Holy Spirit inside of us, which is an amazing gift. Abba! Father, You're so kind! My God, my LORD, who rules the armies of heaven and made the universe, is also my Abba!

Prayer

Abba Father, thank you for being so close and yet so powerful, so easy to talk to and yet so holy, and so soft and yet so reliable. Thank you, dear Abba, for letting me be your loving child and come to you. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

LoveJoyPeaceGratitudeHopeAwe

What a big deal. Just like Jesus did when He prayed to God and called Him "Abba Father," we can also be honest and open with God. "Abba" is one of the first sounds babies learn to say. The word "Abba" was used by very young children to talk to their fathers in a close, respectful, and honest way. We have the same right as God's children because of the Holy Spirit. We can call the One who made the universe, the Great God of Israel, the Father of all people, and the Almighty of all time, "Abba!" Incredible.

Prayer

Abba, Father, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit into me so that you can be with me. Thank you for letting me talk to you in such a friendly and confident way, with such respect and reliance. I thank you for always being my Heavenly Father. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

LoveJoyPeaceGratitudeHopeCompassionAweContentment

Abba. If you listen to a baby, you'll hear these basic sounds that they make early on. Amazingly, Jesus showed us how to talk to God with these words: familiarity, trust, vulnerability, dependence, and intimacy. The Spirit also helps us do this. The Spirit is our guarantee that we don't have to be afraid of God. Instead, we can approach Him as our loving and caring Father who always listens to our hearts and wants to bless our lives.

Prayer

Abba Father, you are mighty and glorious. Your deeds are awesome. Your power, LORD, is too great to understand. Your grace is wonderful, All-Powerful God. Thank you, Holy and Righteous Father, for letting me talk to you as my Abba, who is always close and always there. Please show me that you are close to me today. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

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