Daily Word

It’s Who You Are!

 . . . but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. —Romans 8:15

You have received the Spirit of adoption, or the Spirit who places you in the position of a son. A child of God is always waiting for God to do something, but a son knows he has already been placed in a state of victory in God. He is not waiting on God to heal, and bless, and deliver him, but he knows God has given him a healed, blessed, and delivered position. He is not waiting for God to send Jesus to the cross again to help him, but he is believing what God has already done and has provided for him. God has healed him with the stripes, blessed him with every spiritual blessing, and sent His Word and already delivered him (1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:3; Psalm 107:20)! He is no longer complaining about his problems and what God is not doing, but he is crying, “Abba, Father,” because he has been placed in the position of a son. The basis for this relationship to God is not his own performance but the performance of Jesus, who made him a new creation and a son of God. He is now standing fast in the truth or liberty with which Christ has made him free! He is no longer entangled in the yoke of bondage to fear (Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 2:15). He has moved into the “I am” realm: I am healed! I am blessed! I am a son of God! I am led by the Spirit! Are you?

Where Maturity Comes From 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. —Romans 8:14

A child of God is led by circumstances and natural situations: they are happy today, sad tomorrow; on top today, underneath tomorrow. But one who partakes of the Word will soon learn to be led by the Spirit, or by the Word. The Word never changes, so the (grown) son of God remains stable at all times, good or bad. He is being led daily by the Spirit of God. Where is the Spirit leading him? He is leading him “into all truth” (John 16:13, emphasis added)! Why is He leading him into all truth? Because He desires him to “know the truth” so “the truth will make [him] free” (John 8:32, emphasis added). The Spirit and the Word working together will retrain or reprogram your thinking to think in line with God and His thoughts. Once you are brought into agreement with God’s Word, you will have the ability to live as God lives. The more freedom you experience,as a result, the greater your ability to teach others and to set them free. Change in your life comes through a revelation of the truth. You have been given the power, the right, the privilege to believe God’s Word. You make the choice to read it, hear it, and apply it to your life. The more you abide in the Word, the more you will abide in Him (John 15:7).

Got Milk?

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.
—1 Peter 2:2

Here is the key to spiritual growth: the Word of God. When you received Jesus as Savior, there was a desire put in you for the Word of God. Much like milk in the natural helps a baby to grow, the Word of God will grow you up spiritually in the things of the Spirit. The Word is your spirit food, and what you eat will make a difference in your life. Tradition and religion will bind you and keep you a child, but the pure milk of the Word will grow you, or give you progress, in your salvation. Never lose your hunger for the Word! Sometimes you may have to force-feed yourself because of your feelings and emotions, but your desire will follow your attention! Sit under the Word every time you have a chance; get good CDs and online teach- ings that will help you grow. The Word is God speaking to you, so listen to it and act upon it. Soon you will not only have life, but life more abundantly; soon you will not only be saved, but you will come into the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). The more truth you receive, the freer you will become (John 8:31–32). The freer you become, the greater the potential you will have to free others. Desire the milk of the Word!

You Were Given the Right

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
—John 1:12

When you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you were given power to grow up to be a son of God. The word power in this verse means authority, legal right, or privilege . . . “to become a son of God.” Who has this authority or right? You do! What if someone never uses this power? They will remain a child, tossed to and fro all their life (Ephesians 4:14). Notice that God’s desire is for you to grow and become a son, or else He would have never given you the power and right to do so! A son of God is a mature Christian who is led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), who goes about destroy- ing the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). His main focus is no longer on himself, but it is on helping others to grow and live free. Jesus was proclaimed by God to be the Son of God on the day the Holy Ghost came upon Him; He was immediately led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and afterward, He began to teach, preach, and heal and deliver God’s people (Matthew 3:16–17; 4:1, 23). You have the ability and privilege to grow up to be a son of God!