Received

March 16

“You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, rather, you have received the spirit of adoption.” These words in Romans 8:15 have tremendous importance to us as believers. They are contrasting two very important options before us—the spirit of slavery to fear or the spirit of sonship through adoption.’

You have the power to be a slave to the enemy of your soul because of sin and your refusal to give up your attachment to its fleeting pleasure. Or, you can be a child to God who sent Jesus to die in order to release you from bondage and make you a beloved part of the eternal family of God.

The key word in each option is ‘received.’ ‘You have not received; you have received.’ These attitudes don’t just happen! The receptivity to slavery or to sonship does not occur apart from your consent. You will take to yourself the option that appeals to you.

If you elect to remain bound by the chains of sin—the sin of addiction or lust or anger or denial of Christ—that option is available to you. If you elect to be a child of God, that option is there for you to receive. Your free will is the determining factor. Your eternal destiny is established by the option you willingly embrace.