GPS Guide – May 30, 2019

FEAR

Thursday

Read: Romans 8:15 ESV

¹⁵ 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!” (Romans 8:15 ESV)

Study: The power of sin is real.  It causes us to do things that we do not wish to do.  Sin brings about harm to our own hearts, to others, and to our relationship with God.  Sin causes us to be ashamed of who we are and what we have done.  And the consequences of sin often force us to live in fear of this force that is more powerful than we are.  Thankfully our adoption by Christ means that we are brought into a family that is more powerful than even the most addictive sins.  When you are a child, and you are lucky enough to be in a healthy family, there are certain things you do not have to be afraid of because your family will help keep you safe and protect you in difficult times.  But even the greatest family cannot protect you from everything, and so we still have fear.  God’s family has a unique ability to protect us from the power of sin.  While we still must be mindful of the power of sin and addiction, we do not have to tremble before it.  We can be assured that we can overcome the power and consequences of sin by being a part of God’s family.

Prayer: God thank you for adopting me into your family.  Thank you for reminding me that I do not have to be afraid.  I do not have to tremble before the power of sin, but instead I can overcome it.  I do not have to live a life of shame, but instead be proud of the family in which I have been adopted.