William Andrew Dillard
“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.”
Romans 8:15
In this verse of scripture a contrast is being made
between the spirit that dominated God’s people under the Law of
Moses and the spirit that dominates His people in New Testament
Churches. We do not have the spirit of fear which caused them to cry
out “Lord, God,” but we have the spirit of adoption which causes
us to cry “our Father.”
The key word for consideration here
is “adoption.” In the modern day usage of the term it is used to
convey the idea of receiving one outside the family bloodline and
genetic pool, and making that person to become one of the family
through legal action. This is not what is meant by the Bible term,
although there are those who try desperately to make it so.
In
the Bible there are degrees of son-ship designated by specific terms.
“Teknon” is a Greek term translated in the Bible as a born child.
“Pais” or “Padion” is the Greek work translated a small son,
one under tutorship. “Huios” is the Greek term for a fully mature
son who is able to act appropriately in the stead of, and in the name
of, his father. It is this latter term, “Huios” that is
consistently used of seasoned disciples in the New Testament Church.
This is what every child of God in this age can and should become.
This is what is meant in Romans 8:15 by the term “adoption.” In
the original language this is a composite of two other terms. It is
“huiothesia” a combination of “huios” mature son, and
“thesia” to set or place; hence, the forceful meaning of the word
is “to set in the position of mature sons.”
So, Paul
encouraged the Romans and all of us with this enlightenment. We do
not have the same position with God in the New Testament Church as
the Israelites had under the Law. They had a continuous spirit of
fear, but we have a continuous spirit and understanding of being
mature sons who lovingly regard God as “our Father,” and do his
bidding willingly and with gladness of heart.
Oh, what a joy it
is to live in this position. God has given His Son for us. His Son
has given His life for us. The Holy Spirit has empowered us and lives
with us to continuously teach and guide us into the ways of all
truth. We serve Him not out of a fear of being stoned if we do not,
but because we love Him and are truly thankful for what He has done
for us.
It is appropriate then that we should make the most of
our prized position as mature sons. The more we know the more we can
believe. The more we believe, the greater our faith. The greater our
faith, the greater our hope. And in the end, the greater will be our
blessed opportunity to rule and to reign with Him in the age that is
about to happen. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us that we should be call the sons of God.
Amen! I love Bro. Dillard’s thoughtful expositions. Too many think that if you’re born again you’ve got it all. As Bro. Dillard says, “This is what every child of God in this age can and should become.” The new birth is an unconditional gift, adoption is not. Thank you James for sharing this.
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I copy all his writings because I enjoy them and they are so enlightening. I post them to try to help others.
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