Romans 8:15-17

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.” vs. 15

It’s heart-breaking to discover how many people actually have a fear of God. We’re not talking here about fear as healthy respect, the attitude Luther was talking about when he enjoined us to “fear and love God.” No, this is being afraid of God, being terrified that some day God is going to get us for our dissolute behaviors and careless living. More people than we can even imagine have at their core a sense of dread when it comes to any future divine encounters, and they do their best to stay out of the places where they fear God might be. We can’t be sure where such notions are born–it could even come from the careless words of parents trying to hammer the fear of God into their children with threats like, “God is going to get you for that!” But wherever the idea comes from, it does us no good as we try to navigate the sometimes difficult predicaments that life brings our way. Paul told the Romans that they had the same relationship to God as did Jesus, that they had been adopted into God’s family, and that they should feel free to address God as “Abba,” or Father. So even if we’ve had a less than satisfying relationship with our birth fathers, we should know that God will love us sacrificially and unconditionally. We are God’s most beloved children! Always!

Thought for the Day: What’s it like to be afraid of God?