Today's Passage - Romans 8:14-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 8:14-17   "...Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."   The biggest difference between servants and children is that no matter how kind the master is, servants are always fearful of the master because of they can never predict what the master will do.  Children, however, have no fear before their father because they know that father loves them and will never give up on them because of his love.  So, the major difference in terms of relationship is that one is based on submission but the other is based on love.  1 John 4:18 says that "perfect love drives out fear"; as soon as you know that you are children of God, not just a servant, you will be delivered from fear.   A sister in Christ once shared her own transformations.  For years she felt that she's a servant of a master while serving God.  When master was eating, she would be standing on his side to serve Him.  She never knew that she's part of the family and she could sit down and eat at will instead of just serving the master.  Once she understood it, her thoughts were changed and her ministry became different.  She is no longer fearful of what happens if she makes a mistake, but rather she is filled with joy because she knows that God is pleased with her, just like how she - as a mother - is pleased with her own children.   Do you understand that you are the children of God, not just His servants?  As His children, even if you suffered humiliation or messed things up, you can always go back to the Father and cry out to Him, because this loving Father will never reject you.  Hebrews 4:16 says that "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  Think about the story of the prodigal son - wasn't the prodigal son full of fear when he first returned home?  His father's love for him, however, never changed because of his disobedience.  This is such precious truth - let us turn back to God today!                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I pray for each and every brother and sister who are weak and have stumbled, fell and got hurt.  May you open their eyes so that they understand that they are your children, not your servants.  Let them once again be renewed and recharged so that they can turn back to you to receive all the grace you have prepared for them.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!